Kola adds more fizz for Folkestone

Friday 12th January 2007

No nonsense Folkestone Invicta centre back Samuel Kola Okikiolu is delighted to have been brought back to the Buzzlines Stadium by Neil Cugley, writes Andy Bown & Tom Marchant.Kola, who left the Seasiders with striker Ellis Remy earlier on in the season due to financial constraints, was brought back with Remy in the light of the news that five new Directors were to join the Invicta Board in the New Year.

Speaking in an interview on www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk, he said: “When I left the Club and went to East Thurrock it made me realise what a good set up Folkestone have got even though people sometimes don’t realise it, and the players have a great spirit amongst themselves and the manager is honest and motivated.

“Everything just feels right here and we just need results to pick up a bit.

He added: “Neil (Cugley) gave me a ring which was pretty unexpected and said would I like to come back to the club because they were short on defenders and I didn’t even have to think about the decision, I really wanted to come back.

“When me, Ellis and Walid (Matata) left in November, Neil explained the situation very carefully and we all understood that and we held absolutely no grudges against the Club.

“Me and Ellis didn’t want to leave but the Club was obviously having a bit of trouble financially but we’re just glad to be back now”.

North London based Kola makes the journey down to Folkestone with Remy, who is joint top scorer for Invicta so far this season alongside fellow centre back, captain Adam Flanagan.

Kola has impressed Cugley on his return to the Club and he gave his opinions on his performances so far saying, “I think I’ve done ok since I’ve come back, they could be better and I think they will be as I get fitter.

“I get on really well with all the lads in the team and training is excellent and there’s a real desire to do well.

“Everyone made me feel welcome when I came back and that was important because I needed to fit back into the team quickly and I feel like have”.

“The spirit in the team is so good and I could see that as my first game back was Horsham and we obviously went 2-0 down and the spirit from everyone to come back was immense.

“Against Tonbridge on Boxing Day, I think the whole team just had an off day and then last week the performance was really good up to a point but I don’t think it was reflected in the score so it felt like a defeat to be honest and the lads were quite down afterwards but we’ve got to take the positives from the game forward into the next games and then I’m sure we’ll start climbing the League”.

Folkestone make the trip to London tomorrow to take on Harrow Borough in the Ryman Premier League.

Harrow were Invicta’s opponents on the first day of the Ryman Premier season, where they left with the three points. On that day, Kola was in the Harrow squad and came on as a last minute substitute.

Times have changed slightly at the Buzzlines Stadium since Kola was last with the Club, with big changes at Board level with the introduction of five new Directors eager to push the Football Club to the next level.

“You can see in Neil’s demeanour now that he feels a lot more positive about things and he keeps saying he’s looking to bring players in and that helps keep me on my toes and the rest of the lads as well,” he said.

“When me and Ellis were here last I think we lost like three games when we were playing and I’m not saying that in a big headed way at all, but we did have a decent team.

“I think the team has improved since we’ve come back and it will only get stronger going into next season so I can’t so why we can’t push on towards the play off places in the League.

“Obviously we’ve got to focus on this season first but I know we’ve got no problems about staying up just because of the spirit amongst the players.”

As a youngster Kola started playing football for a side called Westwood boys before he was scouted by Wimbledon.

He explained: “I pretty much stayed with Wimbledon until I was 21/22. I was given a scholarship in my late teens, which gave me something to work for at that age and then I signed pro forms and didn’t really force my way into the first team. Then I went to Clyde in Scotland and played on loan there.”

At the moment the solid centre back works as a service provider for Sky Television in North London but is set for a career change.

He said: “I’m in the process of applying to the fire service to become a fire fighter and I’ve pretty much done all the tests for it, I’ve just got the interviews to come now so I’m really positive about that.”

The defender is keen to stay with the Seasiders permanently, adding: “I definitely want to be here for the long term because I do love it here but nothing is certain in football, and things can change in an instant so I can’t be definite about things yet.

“Obviously it’s up to the Club if they want to keep me and if I’m worth something to Neil and the team. I know, like all the players do, that you have to perform in football to get your rewards and I’m focussing on doing as well as I can for the team and myself.”

Visit Folkestone Invicta's website:  www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

Harrow Borough  v  Folkestone Invicta
Ryman Premier League 
Saturday 13^th January 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm