Mev, Damo move to Belmont; Invicta friendlies lined up

Neil Cugley says he is happy with the six-game programme of pre-season friendlies so far arranged.

“It would always be nice to get a big name club, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to entice anyone to come down here.

“I’m still hoping we might get the Gills again, but there’s some uncertainty there with the situation regarding the manager.

“As it is, the six games are designed to get our players properly match fit and to sort out one or two things. And it’s not as if we’ll be trying too many new players out with our squad pretty much in place already from last season.”

Meanwhile, it appears that Invicta stalwart Micheal Everitt and forward Damien Abel, who was involved for the closing months of last season will both be wearing the red shirts of Whitstable next year.

“They’ve got (striker) Ian Pulman in from Ramsgate and it looks like they’re going to give it a bit of a go” said Neil.

“It goes without saying that Micheal has been a terrific servant to this football club but he felt he needed a change and we do of course wish him well.

“The same goes for Damien. It was good to have him around at the end of the season and we thank him for what he did for us.”

Cugs also hinted at a change in the club’s first team away strip for the coming campaign.

He said: “We’ve had the red strip for a few years now and we feel we need something lighter in colour for a change.

“We’ve not quite decided what we’ll go for, but it’s definitely going to be something nearer white.”

Folkestone’s friendly schedule so far is –four home games and two away – is –

Sat, July 21: Deal Town (Kent Premier) – Away

Tues, July 24: Canterbury City (Kent Premier) – Home

Sat, Aug 28: Ashford United (Invicta League) – Away

Sat, Aug 4: Carshalton Athletic (Ryman Premier) – Home

Tues, Aug 7: Ashford United – Home

Sat, Aug 11: Tonbridge Angels (Blue Square South) – Home

The fixture against Canterbury will provide a swift return to the Buzzlines Stadium for popular striker Simon Austin who is now managing the cathedral city club while the two fixtures against Ashford will also mean a chance to catch up again with former Folkestone favourite Paul Chambers who is preparing for his second full season in charge at Homelands.