Champion switches for successive promotion tilt

Maidstone United's championship winning defender and midfielder Phil Starkey is staying in the Ryman League to strengthen Folkestone Invicta's promotion next season.

The 27-year-old former Margate star joined the Ryman Premier title winners from AFC Hornchurch last September before switching to the Fullicks Stadium from the Gallagher Stadium on Monday to become Invicta manager Neil Cugley's second major signing of the summer following the capture of experienced striker Carl Rook from Leatherhead last week.

A delighted Cugley said: “He’ll should prove a very good signing for us and he comes to us with a lot of experience behind him.”

Dartford-born Starkey started out as a youngster at Crystal Palace before helping Braintree win promotion to Conference South and followed that with spells at Ebbsfleet United, AFC Hornchurch, Dover Athletic and Margate.

Starkey was signed to add to the solid core of 26 and 27-year-olds in Cugley's squad, a list that includes Liam Friend, Frankie Chappell, Ian Draycott, fellow midfielder Matt Newman and Nat Blanks.

News of Starkey's signing also followed the decision of wide man Jonny Pilbeam to carry on for another season at least.

The 25-year-old winger joined Invicta from Tunbridge Wells last summer and had been the subject of much close season speculation after his eye-catching attacking performances attracted interest from around the county and further afield by the end of last term.

Cugley added: “I’m glad he’s staying – and that he’s staying for the right reasons. Financially he’d been offered better than we are able to pay, but he likes it here and has agreed to sign for another year.

“He’s a good lad and, as we all know, can make the difference between us winning and losing when he’s really in the mood.”

A favourite with the vast majority of supporters at The Fullicks Stadium, Pilly scored eight goals and was involved in a total of 38 games last season, making 21 starts.

* Forty-three goal striker Ian Draycott capped his first season with Folkestone Invicta by scooping the two main awards at the club’s recent awards night at Cheriton Road.

The 26-year-old won both the Supporters’ Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year with club stalwart Michael Everitt taking second place in the fans' poll and fellow midfielder Jordan Wright third.

Draycott and Everitt also occupied the top two places in the estimation of their team-mates with full-back Nat Blanks a popular third.

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