New signings bring fresh hope for Folkestone - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

FOUR of the five players that were unveiled as Folkestone Invicta’s summer signings today are relishing the opportunity to bring Ryman Premier League football back to the club, writes Stephen McCartney.

Striker James Dryden, 28, who signed a two-year contract a couple of nights ago, joins his former Dover Athletic team-mates, defender Matt Bourne, 21, and the versatile Craig Wilkins, 33, at Cheriton Road.

Full-back Nick Humphrey, 27, arrives from their Ryman League Division One South neighbours Ashford Town, while box-to-box midfielder Dave Cook, 24, has signed from neighbouring Kent League side Hythe Town.




WELCOME:  Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley (middle) welcomes four of his five summer signings to Cheriton Road - Dave Cook, Nick Humphrey, James Dryden and Matt Bourne.  The fifth, Craig Wilkins, is currently on holiday. 
Photograph courtesy of www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk

Wilkins, who was unavailable at today’s press conference as he’s on holiday, Bourne, Humphrey and Cook have all penned one-year deals.

Despite suffering relegation from the Ryman Premier League on the final day of the season, losing the home winner-takes-all clash to Maidstone United, the players’ are focused to claim promotion next season.

Banker Humphrey, a 27-year-old right-back, who lives in Sidcup, believes playing alongside three other former team mates will help continuity.

“Folkestone came down from the premier, looking to bounce back and I think they’ve got a chance,” Humphrey told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Really impressed with the guys that he’s (Neil Cugley) brought in. I’ve played with them before at Dover and it’s a good solid base they’ve got to add to. Hopefully it will bring dividends.”

Humphrey knows all about the Ryman One South, having played in the division for Tonbridge Angels, Dover Athletic, and last season, Ashford Town.

And he added: “I want automatic promotion. I’ve been in the play-off’s twice with Dover, lost in the final to Tonbridge and semi-final to Hastings - I’d rather go up automatically.”

Defender Bourne, 21, who works in finance at three prisons in Sheppey, turned down moves to his former club Chatham Town, his home-town club Sittingbourne, Metropolitan Police and a late bid made yesterday from Ashford Town boss Steve Lovell.

Bourne was one of five players to be released by Andy Hessenthaler at neighbouring Dover Athletic earlier in the month.

“It was disappointing to leave the club but in the end I wasn’t playing as much as I’d like to,” Bourne told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

"I enjoyed the time I was there but at the age of 21 you just want to play football.”

Bourne, meanwhile, believes he’s made the right choice.

“I had (offers from) Chatham, Sittingbourne, Met Police and Steve Lovell rang me yesterday,” he revealed.

“When I spoke to Neil (Cugley), I liked his plans for the club. They were unlucky to come down and they’re looking to bounce back and the players he’s brought in they’ve been around this level and know what it takes to go up and we want to achieve it.

“We’ve all been at Dover together, we know each other well and how each other play. Cookie coming in, another good addition for the team.”

Bourne also knows what to expect from the division next term, having clinched the title with Dover Athletic last term, adding: “It’s not an easy league, it’s very difficult. Once you get out of this one it becomes easier, not easier, but it’s a tough league to get out of.”

And on his new manager, Bourne added: “He’s given me the opportunity, I just feel it’s the right move for myself.”

There has been plenty of pages written on fans’ forums about star striker Dryden, who returns to Cheriton Road after two and a half years at Dover Athletic.

“It’s good to be back!” Dryden told www.kentishfootball.co.uk:  “I had two and a half great years at Dover and I felt it was time to move on. I was guaranteed regular football here at Folkestone.”

Dryden turned down a new contract at Crabble and opted to return to Cheriton Road, signing a two-year contract a couple of nights ago.

“Well, I could see it from their point of view,” said Dryden. “They wanted to put a clause in and just before I did sign for Folkestone on Thursday night, they did release the clause but I thought my future was at Folkestone at the moment.

“I do wish them all the best and they’re where they should belong.

“Don’t get me wrong, Dover are a Conference club. All you have to do is look at the club, the pitch and the fans. You won’t get any better fans around in Kent or non-league football.

“It’s time for a fresh challenge. I’ve always targeted 20 goals and hopefully I’ll reach that.”

Dryden believes today’s player news can only be good for Folkestone.

He added: “It’s great for the club, I’ve played with these players before, all good players and with the players they’ve got here at the moment I think the club’s moving forward.”

Cook, who describes himself as a “box-to-box” midfielder, was playing Kent County League football at Bromley Green at the start of last season, after being turned away by Cugley following a trial last summer, before signing for Kent League side Hythe Town halfway through the season.

But the Ashford based, 24-year-old roofer is looking forward to the challenges ahead.

Cook, who arrives from Kent League side Hythe Town, turned down moves to rivals’ Tunbridge Wells and Beckenham Town, to test himself in a higher level of football.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge, I think it will be good,” Cook told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Hopefully playing a few games and playing with better players will progress me as well.

“Neil said I’ll be in the sixteen and it’s up to me to fight for my place to get into the team. Hopefully I can prove to him in pre-season that I’m not just a bit-part player.”

“I was here pre-season last year but Neil explained to me he had set his budget and I wasn’t signed and I went back to Bromley Green a bit disappointed really.

“I thought I’d give it another go once I sort myself out and then I went to Hythe and then it seemed to get better and better really.

“Hythe gave me a good chance there and obviously I’m excited about this year. It means a big difference to me as I’m working my way up.

“I was talking to Neil, he was enthusiastic and buzzing and I want to be apart of that.”

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