Norman shuns move to Dartford

Mark Patterson has given Ryman Premier League side Folkestone Invicta two weeks notice before moving back to his former club Gillingham to run their academy, whilst left-back Steve Norman has shunned a move to Dartford.

Folkestone Invicta chairman Mr Bob Dix  told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk:  “It shows how good a coach he is for the Gills to come in for him and want him full time.

“To go and run their academy for them is a marvellous opportunity for him and we can’t stand in his way and we wish him the best of luck.

“He’s been a brilliant asset for the club, he’s really helped the players at training and I definitely think Neil (Cugley) is going to miss him.

“Mark only got travelling expenses, he wasn’t on the wage bill or anything like that so there isn’t the money to bring in another assistant.

“But we’ve got people at the club such as Mark Saunders and Micky Dix with the youth team and under his guidance many players have come through to the first team so there’s people to help out and we’ll manage.”

The chairman was also happy to disclose more details on the seven day approach put in for consistent left back Steve Norman, who has been at the club for over two years.

The approach was from Ryman Division One side Dartford and Mr Dix said: “The approach only came in Friday so Neil couldn’t speak to him Saturday.

“He made Steve aware of it and he didn’t show much interest in leaving, he felt quite happy playing at Folkestone and didn’t want to drop down a league.

“Steve’s been good to the club, we’ve been good with him and I don’t think there’s any problem there at all.”

Mr Dix is at the moment in discussion with several people interested in coming on the Club’s Board.

The chairman explained how the sound financial position of the Cheriton Road club has been an important factor in attracting interested parties.

Mr Dix revealed: “These people are professional people and they are genuinely interested in the club and if our expenditure were higher than our income then why would they throw their money away?

“I’ve been here 15 years and the structure of the club has grown unbelievably and people have said ‘Bob is packing in’ but I’m not packing anything in.

“I just wanted to draw attention to things at the club that we have the structure and the sound finances to now move forward and moving forward will only come with more people getting involved at the club and making the club more professional on and off the pitch.

“We’ve had really positive discussions so far with five potential people, enquiring about the club and the finances and obviously the finances speak for themselves and they were really keen.

“We’ve got further discussions planned soon, I can’t give dates but these people are here for the want of the club.

“We’re all working together to improve the club but it remains to be seen what sort of help it will be yet because obviously it’s up to them.”

Monday of this week also saw the Buzzlines Stadium pass its ground inspection, with very little work required on the stadium at all.

A delighted chairman said: “We basically passed the ground grading. We’ve got to put two new urinals in somewhere and we haven’t got the official paperwork through as yet.

“It’s been frustrating in the past when we’ve been made to pay thousands on the ground and then you go to some away grounds and you wonder how they can play football there compared to us, but we haven’t got to spend anything on the ground which is pleasing.”

Last weekend saw tough tackling midfielder Micheal Everitt make his 200th starting appearance for the Seasiders in the 1-0 victory against Worthing – the Club record for starting appearances is held by a very close friend of Micheal’s, James Dryden.

Mr Dix gave his thoughts on Mev’s feat expressing: “He’s been important right through the club; he’s represented the club in youth, reserve and first teams and has done significantly well in all these teams.

“Micheal’s one of those players that just plays consistently week in, week out and gives you a 100% every time.

“He might not have been the best player we’ve ever had but he works tremendously hard for the team and his work goes unnoticed which is the sign of a good player and he’s another local player that’s come through the ranks, which is what we need to continue to produce.”

Whilst talking about the quality of the local players the club has produced over the years Mr Dix said: “Liam Friend has improved significantly since the start of the season and he plays well most weeks and all the lads talk well of him and I just hope he can stay fit and progress to really take this club forward because he’s got age on his side.

“I think Rob Knott was in the same situation last season and it’s a real shame that he picked the injury up that he has because he would have been a regular by now but instead he’s got to start all over again.

“He won’t play properly until next season and we’ve left him to go his own way, to get himself seen to and keep himself fit.

“We want to help him all we can but we didn’t realise how bad the injury was and unfortunately he carried on playing with it and it’s made it worse.”

The first team squad has seen a number of new additions recently including the capture of defender Roy Guiver and striker Damian Abel, both from Hythe Town.

The Chairman said: “I thought Abel has been really promising when I saw him the other day and I rated him man of match against East Thurrock I think it was.

“He’s taken a few games to adjust to the quality and pace of the Premier as opposed to the Kent League, and much like a player coming into the Premiership for the first time from abroad they have to adjust but he’s looking good and I’m hopeful he’ll score more goals for us.

“When you get in players from outside Kent you’ve got to cover their travelling expenses which may be £40 a week but with Abel and Guiver, they’re local and they’re saving us a lot of money so all round it’s good for the club.”

Invicta travel to Hampton & Richmond Borough on Saturday.

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