Champions snap up versatile Beale

A product of the Brentford Academy, the Rochester-based 22-year-old defender-cum-midfielder was unveiled by the Ryman South champions on Sunday after spending the last two seasons with the Sussex club since leaving the Bees.

Cugley said: “He’s a good left-sided player and that’s been an aspect of the squad that I’ve been eager to strengthen for quite some time. Up to a couple of years ago, we were fairly strong down the left, and Sam will give us a much better balance on that side of the park.”

Folkestone’s chief executive Cliff Egan said: “Sam trained with us when the players reported back to start pre-season. It’s taken us a while to get over the line with this first signing but now we’re almost into the pre-season programme and people see that we mean business, I’m confident that things will pick up pace.

“We’re looking seriously at two other players. At this moment I think that we’ll get one of them at least, maybe both. That will be up to the manager.”

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