Folkestone Invicta unveil Steve Harper signing

Thursday 11th July 2013

FOLKESTONE INVICTA have brought more power and experience to their striking force with the signing of Steve Harper.

Harper becomes the sixth forward option in Neil Cugley’s 2013/14 squad with the returning Stuart King and Simon Austin already added to the likes of Dane Luchford, Richard Atkins and outstanding youngster Johan Ter Horst.

“I tried to sign Steve a few years ago and have always kept on eye on him since then,” Culgey told www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk.

“He’s a very good footballer and brings us more height and experience up front than we have had for quite some time.

“He lives in the Tonbridge-Maidstone area, as do Jake Beecroft and Matt Newman, so that could be handy for all three of them, travelling-wise.”

Harper, 31, was indeed a target for Invicta a few seasons ago, but was then snapped up by Tonbridge Angels and has since played for both Thurrock and Welling United at a higher level.

Invicta fans will probably associate him more with Burgess Hill Town, where he was top scorer in 2009/10, signing for Met Police in November 2011 but returning to Sussex to help Bognor Regis Town gain promotion two years ago.

He was with Bognor until midway through last season but has since then been concentrating on building up his business as a fitness instructor.

Cugley said: “His commitments may mean he is not able to make every training session and might even have to miss the occasional game, but we can probably work around that.

“He shouldn’t have too many problems on the fitness side, given the nature of his work.

“We needed more experience in the side and more forward cover, especially with Richard Atkins now going away on September 1, so I’m pleased we’ve been able to bring Steve to the club.

“He’ll almost certainly play in our first pre-season game at Ashford this coming weekend.”

For Saturday’s match at Homelands Stadium, however, there are doubts over Phil Stevenson (ankle), Shane Hamshare (hamstring) and Josh Burchell (ankle).

Cugley said: “We had a long training session from 10 till about half two on Saturday and those three have picked up knocks, but I’d like to think there’s nothing serious and they all may still be okay.”

One player almost definitely missing however is goalkeeper Roddy Hayward who damaged a finger and needed hospital treatment last week. He is expected to out for perhaps a couple of weeks.

“I had hoped to have three goalies for Saturday, but we’ll still have two while I want to have another good look at a left back who was recommended to us by (new assistant manager) Simon Austin.

“I’ve been really pleased with the way training is going, and a couple of the younger lads, Nat Blanks and Matt Newman, seem to have come back really trying to prove a point, which is just what we need.

“I’m now really looking forward to the pre-season games.”

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

Ashford United v Folkestone Invicta
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 13^th July 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Homelands Stadium, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ