Folkestone Invicta unveil new directors

Monday 01st January 2007

Ryman Premier League club Folkestone Invicta have started the new year by unveiling their new board members.

Chairman Bob Dix is pleased to announce that whilst certain legal formalities are still to be completed during the coming weeks, he is pleased to reveal the names of the new members of Folkestone Invicta F.C. Limited who are joining under his continued chairmanship.

They are:

Gordon Wallis

Gordon is a former Chairman of Margate Football Club, he has lived for a number of years at Beachborough Park, near Etchinghill.

He has interests in a number of businesses relating to Sport and Property. His grandson plays for Folkestone Invicta Under 10s.

In conjunction with existing Director Brian Merryman, Gordon will use his vast experience gained during over 20 years in Non League Football to assume a Director of Football role supervising all matters relating to the first team.

Jim Pellatt

Jim started a company in the shower industry aged 30 which he then sold to a Public Company in the late 80's.

The next few years he spent in an advisory/company doctor role. In 1995 he started a Company Formation Agent and Company Secretary services company, 1st For Business Ltd., now based in Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone.

Jim is married to Annie and has two grown up children Emma & Chris. A keen follower of Folkestone Invicta Jim has also spent time as Director and Chairman of Dover Athletic.

Jim has already taken over as Company Secretary and will take responsibility for all Commercial aspects of the Football Club including The Top Draw Lottery, Match Day Sponsorships, Ground Advertising etc.

Lynn Woods

Lynn is known to you all as one of our keenest supporters – he has in fact been a Folkestone supporter since his father introduced him to Kent League football in the late 50's.

He has also followed Burnley since 1959 having seen the great championship winning Clarets side visit Folkestone to mark the opening of the club's floodlights.

After a 16-year RAF career, Lynn co-founded Adastra Software in 1993 and is now its Chief Executive. Adastra is based in Ashford and employs 140 people.

Lynn will assume a support role to other members of the board, undertaking specific projects such as a new prospectus and business plan for The Club.

Nigel Busbridge

Nigel is a passionate supporter and of course our main sponsor through his Company Buzzlines Limited.

Nigel began operating coaches in 1990, today the company has grown to be one of the U.K.’s leading coach operators, his distinctive luxury coaches can now be seen throughout the U.K. and Europe.

Buzzlines have expanded significantly within the leisure market and now arrange anything from a concert or theatre trip to a lengthy vacation anywhere in the world.

Nigel (like Lynn) is unable to undertake a specific responsibility due to business commitments but is keen to undertake specific projects such as improving our corporate hospitality facilities.

Mike Perfect

Mike is the jovial character seen in our boardroom during recent months. Mike has been extensively involved in Non-League football notably with Rodney Marsh at Ashford Town.

Due to his commitment to The FA Compliance Unit he is unable to commit to being a Director of The Club so will assume a role as Associate Technical Director, ensuring we are kept abreast of all football related rule changes.

Mike’s appearance as a representative of The Club in boardrooms home and away is paramount in ensuring we increase our profile.

Mr Perfect told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk: “May I personally take this early opportunity to make thanks for the positive attitude over the past couple of months relating to the changes at the Club.

“Whatever may be perceived from outside, this was never a rescue mission, but merely an affirmation of the excellent work carried out by Bobby Dix, Brian Merryman and Andy Iggleston, in restoring stability, on and off the pitch, at Folkestone Invicta.

“It is a fact, that those now wishing to join the Board and cement these good works, have done so as a reflection of their expertise, assisted by an excellent Supporters Club and the club support in general.

“I expect and trust everyone will now move onwards together. Having recently stood down as a Director of the Southern Football League, I believe I am qualified to comment on the subject of Club Directors.

“In my view, the quality and depth of experience now on the Executive Board at Invicta is of great merit.

“I am honoured to be able to offer assistance to them and be a small part of the journey you are all about to start together.”

However, one omission is that of the person responsible for the development of the clubs website www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk and financial controller, Andy Ingleston.

Mr Ingleston announced what he would be contributing to the new set up. “Much of the same,” he said. "I will continue to look after the finances, ensuring the club is run on the same basis as the last seven seasons.

“Whilst everyone convinces me otherwise I do not feel that (other than the initial share issue) I have contributed anything that has helped drive the Club forward, something I have always wanted to do.

"When the new set up is in place I may be able to at last realise this ambition at the end of the financial year as one of the new directors has offered to take over the financial responsibility from me!"

As ever, any developments and updates will be displayed on www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk