Midfielder Yianni released to rejoin rivals

Midfielder Mike Yianni has been allowed to leave Folkestone Invicta to rejoin one of his former clubs, Ryman South rivals Hythe Town.

Yianni, pictured, helped turn Folkestone’s fortunes around on his return to Cheriton Road just under a year ago and the 30-year-old was outstanding in particular in the club's two FA Trophy ties against Hungerford.

With the experienced Darren Smith alongside a rejuvenated Micheal Everitt and the influential Matt Newman in the middle of the park, the popular Yianni has found it hard to force his way back into the starting line-up of manager Neil Cugley, despite making several if brief appearances off the bench in recent games.

Cugley said: "We are fairly settled in midfield and have options with others able to fill a number of roles in the side. Hythe came in for him, and he’s had a talk with Timmy Dixon [Hythe manager] and decided he wants to go back to Reachfields. He’s at the age when he wants to be playing, and I fully understand the way that he feels.

"We could have insisted on Tommy Dixon waiting the seven days of course but Mike’s too good a lad to be messed around like that. He’s a smashing lad who is fun to have around, both on and off the field, but he needs to be playing more and that’s not something I can promise him at the moment."

Cugley now has a fair amount of flexibility in midfield with the likes of Nat Blanks, Jon Pilbeam, Matt Newman and Dane Luchford all capable if required.