Cugley: Professional teams give us a good test

Folkestone manager Neil Cugley said: “The new strips will be on show at the Gills game in the Club Shop for everyone to have a look at – although we won’t actually be wearing them in that match. The new kit will probably be worn in the first League game of the new season.”

An enthusiastic Cugley added: “I’m pleased with them and the supplier also makes the kit for Hull City so obviously you’re talking about very good quality there. Nigel Busbridge from Buzzlines went over there a little while ago and together we decided to go with them”.

The move towards a new kit for the 2006/2007 Ryman Premier League season has raised eyebrows amongst the Invicta faithful throughout recent days and the Invicta boss explained why the Club were launching a new kit.

He said: “Well the main reason is that we are going with a new supplier and so with a new supplier we had to change the kit as well. We’re delighted with the style and the colours are a bit more amber to what we had before.

”What people don’t realise is that it is very hard to get black and amber striped shirts as it is very difficult to get hold of the fabric – amber is quite an unusual colour! To be honest though we go for a new kit most years really.”

The new kit is not paid for by the Club.  “Part of the income from the player sponsorship pays for the new kit and we’re all very appreciative of that,” said Cugley.  “All the tracksuits, kit, footballs and other stuff like that is all paid for from the player sponsorship. So without it we wouldn’t have been able to afford the new kit. Hopefully people will be pleased with the new shirts as we certainly are!”

Cugley also stated that the new away kit will be worn at all away games as long as it does not clash with the colours of the opposition.

“We will most likely wear what we’re allowed to in this League which is a different colour away from home and so where it is possible we will obviously be doing that,” he said.

Pre season training starts for the first team squad this Saturday (July 1st). “I had a meeting last night with the two Marks (Patterson and Saunders) just to clarify how we’re going to do things and what’s going on, and they’re well looking forward to it,” said Cugley.

“As I’ve said before they are both very keen and want the club to do well and I’m delighted to have both of them.

“The meeting gave us a chance to go through everything we want to do pre season and so we’re looking forward to Saturday now”.

Cugley emphasised the focus for pre season was to work on the general fitness of the squad.

He said: “Well with the first two games being against full time teams (Gillingham and Gravesend and Northfleet) it’ll be a really good test and it will show up our stamina and obviously help in getting our fitness levels up. Results are not that important pre season”.

Cugley mentioned he will also be looking at a few players in the Invicta pre season campaign, explaining: “We will have some of the younger lads who have done well in our reserves last year plus people like James Fraser who really didn’t get a good chance last season and so needs to be playing more games so we can have a closer look at him.

”And players generally like to play games and our lads love playing the pre season ones – you can only run them so much!”

At the moment the whole nation has been swamped by football fever with the 2006 World Cup Finals taking place in Germany.

Folkestone is covered in a sea of England flags, reflective in all areas of the country demonstrating the support of the nation behind England’s bid for glory.

Cugley said: “I love the World Cup, every game. I think it’s brilliant! Obviously some games are better than others and in a minute I’m going to watch Brazil and then later I’ll be watching the other one.

“Players enjoy it too I think and then they look forward to coming back pre season and there seem to be more of a buzz about everyone – we notice that. There will be an even bigger buzz if England can go all the way!”

The Folkestone manager gave his prediction for the weekend quarter final between England and Portugal.

“I think England will win, 2-0. Deco has been one of the best players I have seen in the tournament so far, so I’m glad he’s suspended!”

Coming up at the Buzzlines Stadium, Cheriton Road, Folkestone

Wednesday 12^th July 2006
Folkestone Invicta  v  Gillingham
Kick Off 7:30pm

Saturday 15^th July 2006
Folkestone Invicta  v  Gravesend & Northfleet
Kick Off 3:00pm

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