Saunders stays at Folkestone Invicta - but lose out on Donovan

Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley has revealed that he attempted to sign former Margate defender James Donovan - before the six foot four defender opted to join their Ryman Premier League rivals Tonbridge Angels, writes Tom Marchant and Andy Bown.

“As you know, I was hoping for two possible signings this weekend,” Cugley told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

“We were talking to James Donovan, a centre half who was released by Margate but he said no and ended up signing for Tonbridge.

“He lives in south London so Tonbridge is obviously nearer where he lives and also they offered him more money than us and we’re struggling to compete with a lot of sides financially so it was really disappointing we didn’t get him.

“The second lad we’re after is a goalkeeper and he’s still to let me know because he has been off on holiday and I’m still hopeful I can at least sign him up.

“We’re still talking to a lot of players but to be honest there has been a lot more negatives than plusses so far. There are just so many players available and so many clubs that are looking for players which does mean disappointments are inevitable.”

In addition to the vacant goalkeeper’s position, Cugley remains on the look out for a centre back, a left wing back and a midfielder to bolster his squad for next season.

He said: “It was important we kept the players we had because had we lost anymore then we would have had to replace them as well and it would’ve been very difficult.

“So much work has to go in to phoning and arranging meetings with players and then to get rejections is disappointing but I’ve got to keep plugging away and I know I’ll get the players in that will do well for this club”.

The Folkestone manager has been encouraged by the return to fitness of promising young striker Rob Knott.

Knott hardly featured at all last season due to a knee injury but after the club ensured he saw a specialist and had an operation to avoid any future problems, Rob has started back on the fitness trail.

Fans will remember the impact he had towards the end of the 2005/2006 season and the Seasiders are hopeful of promising things to come from the local lad.

Cugley said: “He’s obviously fully fit now and I spoke to him today actually and he tells me he’s going running three times a week at the moment and also on top of that he’s going to see Lloyd Partner two or three times a week so that looks really promising.

“I talked about getting another striker in but if Rob can get himself fit in pre season and score some goals and get some confidence then he’s a terrific addition to have because at the end of the season before last he was a really exciting prospect.

“He has got the enthusiasm to get fit again after being out of the game for a year and if Mark Saunders can work on him in training he really could be back to his best.”

Cugley revealed that ex Gillingham midfield enforcer Saunders has turned down two offers from other clubs to remain with the Seasiders.

Saunders has been at the Buzzlines Stadium for a season and a half now and has had a big impact on and off the field of play, and the Invicta boss could not hide his delight that his right hand man has agreed to stay at the Club for the forthcoming campaign.

Cugley said: “He had another offer from a different club since I last spoke to The Herald and he turned them down as well. I’ve got on really well with Mark and I let him do all the coaching and he really enjoys all of that side of football and he has got a lot of time for the young lads at Folkestone.

“He has such an influence over the younger lads; the likes of Ben Sly and Liam Friend have really improved this year and a lot of it is down to him. I’m absolutely delighted he stayed because I must admit I had my doubts as to whether he would because he’s near enough on half what Maidstone and another club offered him. He’s not here for the money and I know he really likes it here and the fans must give him a lot of credit for that.”

With ground improvements well underway at Cheriton Road coordinated by the ever dedicated Phil Orris, initial progress can be seen with the removal of the canopy and metal cage by the Wilf Armory Suite.

Work on improving the playing surface has also been completed for the time being and the Club hopes for a mixture of rain and sunshine to allow the new seeds to grow.

Cugley said: “It does look a lot better, and that’s all thanks to volunteers putting in a lot of hard work. All that horrible metalwork has gone now and I think a tunnel on that side of the ground will really smarten things up.

“The weather for the pitch in the last week or so has been spot on and I hope that continues and the pitch could be better than we’ve ever had.”

Article courtesy of www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk