Times are hard but we'll cope with it, says Folkestone Invicta boss Neil Cugley

FOLKESTONE INVICTA manager Neil Cugley says the main stand will be one of the subjects discussed at a club meeting on Monday night.

All supporters are invited to attend an open meeting at Stripes Club at 7:30pm to have their say on the future direction of the club.

Folkestone Invicta leapfrogged over Hastings United into fourth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table following their 3-1 home win over Worthing yesterday afternoon.

Worthing had the better of the first half in windy conditions at Cheriton Road, but a string of fine saves from goalkeeper Tim Roberts kept the score line level at the break.

But Dane Luchford swung in a brilliant free-kick for Nat Blanks to guide his header into the top left-hand corner to give Folkestone a 55^th minute lead.

Striker Johan Ter Horst scored twice to take his goalscoring tally to seventeen goals for the season, which had Cugley saying afterwards that the eighteen-year-old should be a playing in the Football League.

However, the wettest winter in 250 years continues to take its toll and only Dartford (at Wrexham), Thamesmead Town (at Bognor Regis), Maidstone United (on 3G) and Folkestone Invicta were the only Kent sides in action in the entire Conference and Ryman Leagues.

However, after the stand roof blew off over the Christmas period, there was standing room only for the 274 fans that braved the windy conditions at Cheriton Road yesterday, because the main stand at the ground remains closed and roofless.

When asked about the stand, Cugley said: “We’ve got meetings with the council and it’s ongoing.

“We’ve got a meeting on Monday with the supporters and we’ll know a bit more after that.”

Cugley has asked for supporters to continue their excellent backing of the club.

He said: “I think times are hard aren’t they? You get the stand blown down, you have the games off and it’s been a bit difficult.

“I think the meeting will bound to be a little financial but other things (will be discussed) as well. 

“I think we’ll cope with it in the end. We’re very lucky. We’ve got a lot of people who will put some money into the club, so we’re lucky. We’re not talking about one person, we’re talking loads putting little bits and they all add up to.  They’ll get us through to the end of the season.”

Folkestone Invicta are scheduled to play Hastings United to Cheriton Road on Tuesday night.

The Arrows have slipped down to fifth-place in the table, with 52 points from 26 games, a point behind Folkestone, but with three games in hand.

Meanwhile, Hastings United’s groundsman Simon Rudkins summed up the mood for all non-league clubs.

“The weather is seriously annoying. Wish weather would go to sleep,” he tweeted.

Visit Folkestone Invicta’s website: www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk

Folkestone Invicta  v  Hastings United
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 8^th February 2014
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 5JU