There is new optimism this week at Invicta, both on and off the field.  Just as Neil Cugley's fine young side played their hearts out against likely front-runners Dulwich Hamlet, so it emerged that there is a new sense of determination behind the scenes to at last overcome the financial problems that have paralysed the Club over the last year.   

The long standing issues with the Inland Revenue have not gone away, but the Board is now much more upbeat about prospects.  Director Nigel Busbridge feels that things are looking up. 

"The Revenue saga has been stressful for everyone including the supporters, and for those of us running our own successful businesses it has been quite a learning curve to have to deal with a business on the verge of insolvency.

"We now understand much more clearly what the options are, and there seems to be a willingness on the part of HMRC to help us find a solution that allows Invicta to continue."

www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk understands that the Club held a meeting last week which created a new steering group to co-ordinate the recovery effort. 

The group comprises current Directors Bob Dix, Brian Merryman and Nigel Busbridge, plus prospective new directors Mark Jenner and Lynn Woods, with Club Secretary Neil Pilcher, Team Manager Neil Cugley, Supporters Club Chairman Clive Arnold and former directors Andy Ingleston and Jim Pellatt all closely involved.

First move was to lift the embargo on season ticket sales and to reinvigorate the Club's marketing efforts.

Lynn Woods commented on the teamwork approach: "It's vital that we play to all our strengths and talents in getting the Club on the right path, and last week's meeting was a very encouraging first step."

As revealed yesterday, a number of fund-raising initiatives are planned, including a £20,000 draw for a new car which will be supported by Wilmoth Citroen, and a £-for-£ scheme where the Directors will pledge to match supporters club contributions.

More details of these and other ideas will follow, and meanwhile the message to supporters is to do their bit by turning up at the gate in numbers.

Bob Dix underlined that the team spirit excludes no-one.  "It's there for all to see that we are a team on the pitch, now we need to play to our strengths off it as well".

We will indeed survive.