The future of Folkestone Invicta Football Club which had been in doubt for over a year appears to have finally been resolved this week after a Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) was put in place with a restructuring of the upper levels of the Club's hierarchy; Lynn Woods takes up the position of Chairman with Mark Jenner now Chief Executive. Inevitably the CVA will see Invicta lose 10 points under League regulations which has been the fate of a number of high profile clubs who have experienced similar financial predicaments.

On the field however it was Invicta's players who showed their promotion credentials with straight victories away at Walton Casuals at the weekend and at Godalming on Tuesday night.

Club captain and Invicta talisman Micheal Everitt commented, “The main priority has to be to make sure the Club exists obviously but as players we don't focus on what we can't control and we try not to take too much notice of what happens off the pitch. We concentrate on what we can control and that is doing our jobs on the pitch.

“We had a meeting before the match against on Saturday and Cugs explained everything and what was going to happen and how we were going to look forward and it was positive. It has been hanging around and now it's finally been resolved we can move on. It is gutting to lose the 10 points and the League table doesn't lie, we deserved to be top but we still want to go out and win it.”

It was Mev's younger brother who grabbed a late winner for the Seasiders away at Walton Casuals last weekend as Invicta left worthy 1-0 winners whilst goals from Liam Dickson and Simon Austin gave Folkestone an impressive win away at play off chasing Godalming earlier this week – Tuesday's opponents have been only one of two sides to have beaten the Seasiders this season.

“Ever since I've been at Folkestone we've always had a good spirit in the dressing room but this year we've just got a real togetherness as well, where all the lads get on so well and there are no cliques or factions which you can get at other clubs. It might be the fact we've got more local lads in the squad but then those that travel down like Jacko, Smudge, Austo, are all brilliant lads.

“It was important we showed that togetherness on Saturday and we showed our character. We then went and backed that up with a great performance on Tuesday night. Godalming I thought were one of the best sides we have played this season along with Fleet and to go up there and come away with the win was massive for us. Ironically perhaps when they beat us I thought we were the better side and on Tuesday they played very well and we beat them.

“The tempo of that match was really quick and I think our sharpness is coming back now where we didn't play for a while after Christmas. I thought we didn't play that well against Chipstead but we won and it was a similar case against Dover. We trained when we weren't playing and you can run and run but there's nothing like playing in games.”

Recent heavy snowfall has put Saturday's match against Whyteleafe at the Buzzlines Stadium in doubt but the Seasiders will be hoping to carry on their superb form which despite a 10 deduction still sees them sit proudly at the top of Ryman Division One South.

“We want to play matches and when we haven't been able to play the lads have heard how Smudge has had to go out shopping with his missus and they go off out on the tandem bike together!

“We take every game as it comes and there is no expectation except from the players I suppose as we would desperately love to win the League. What an achievement it would be to do that with the points deduction. We're thriving to be the first side to do that and we want to make history. We haven't come up against any side this season who I don't think we can compete against.

“Our only downfall I think is the size of our squad and we have been very lucky with injuries and suspensions. If any of the first eleven get injured it could cause us real problems and at times we've had Dixy on the bench which shows just how small the squad is. Fortunately we've also got Pete Williams who has scored some really important goals for us and now we've got Spillsy back who is a very good player with a lot of experience.”

Boss Neil Cugley has had the luxury of being able to regularly name an unchanged line up with the majority of the players in the starting line up finishing the last League campaign.

“We had a good end to last season and the younger lads that have come in like Burchy, JV and Dicko, their understanding of the game has improved and they've been outstanding. Where Cugs has named the same side we have developed a good understanding and in matches like Godalming, that is important especially when you're looking to keep a certain shape to the side which is a lot more difficult when players are in and out of the side.”

This week has also seen the announcement of Invicta's opponents in the next round of the Kent Senior Cup – Ryman Premier side Maidstone United.

“I've played in the Final before and I think it's a good competition to be involved in. It's better than training and it can give opportunities to younger players as well. I think it will be a good game; difficult but it is winnable and we can progress. We've had a lot of away matches lately so it will be nice to play the tie at home in front of our fans.”