New signings will make us more competitive, says Cugley

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.

Bourne, Wilkins, Humphrey and Cook have all penned one-year contracts with the Cheriton Road club.

“I think the intentions are to get people enjoying their football again, get the club buzzing again and win more games,” Cugley told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“If you’re winning more games you are going to be up there at the end.”

Cugley also revealed that two promising 18-year-old’s have also penned one-year contracts.

“We’ve got a great mixture now, we’ve got a squad of sixteen players and eight will be Folkestone based and came up from our youth section,” said Cugley.

“That’s important for us now, these won’t be the last coming in.

“Joshua Burchill, a left-back or left-sided midfielder, and Liam Dickson, who done so well for us, have signed a one-year deal.”

“Obviously we’ve lost players, even though we’re signing a lot, we’ve lost players as well.”

Invicta’s main departures include Roland Edge and Kevin Watson, who joined the club that sent down Cugley’s charges on the last day of the season, Maidstone United.

But the manager said: “I’m excited about managing different players and we look a very new team.

“There were things within the club that needed changing. The board saw that and I thank the board for keeping the players and me. It would be very easy to cut the budget and plod along. We want to be competitive and kick the club on.”

Speaking about the budget at his disposal, Cugley said: “It’s about the same budget, there’s a difference between the two leagues. In the other league (the Ryman Premier), it isn’t high, but when you go down a league it suddenly becomes very competitive.”

Due to today’s announcements, you can count on Folkestone Invicta challenging for promotion next season, along with Kent rivals Ashford Town and Cray Wanderers.

“That’s where we want to be,” expressed Cugley. “Pressure to win games and as I said before, to get the club rolling.”

And with such a small squad, Cugley is pleased that Wilkins can play at both ends of the pitch.

He said: “Craig Wilkins is a big signing because he’s experienced and can play in both positions. When you haven’t got a big squad it comes very handy.

“Nick Humphrey can play right-back and as a centre half.

“I think when you have a small squad versatility is important. People at Dover think Matt Bourne was unlucky not to be kept on.

“With Ollie Schulz (one of Dover Athletic’s summer signings from Ramsgate), they’re overloaded in the department. Matt Bourne is two footed, quick and I think he will be a good signing for the future.”

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