No kit thanks to migrant crisis at ports!

Thanks to their new bespoke Macron Italian designed strip being left stranded somewhere in Europe, Invicta say they will wear their old home kit for Saturday’s opener against Molesey at the Fullicks Stadium and again on Tuesday 18 August for their Robert Dyas League Cup tie at home to Ramsgate.

A club spokesman confirmed: "We are sorry to have to announce that our new macron shirts will not now be available for the opening game of the season, this weekend.

"Though we don’t know the precise logistics of the situation, we are told that the bespoke new Italian designed shirts are stranded in Eastern Europe, midway between the manufacturers and the Fullicks Stadium.

"The cause of the problem is understood to be the far-reaching combined effects of Operation Stack and the Calais migrant crisis – the bane of all of our lives for so long now – especially during the last couple of months, despite long overdue measures now seemingly being announced daily by the British and French Governments."

Invicta’s director of sales & marketing Cliff Egan added: “It’s always great to kick-off a new season with the new kit and even more frustrating that we can’t do so as it’s only the new home shirts that we’re waiting for.

“We’ve got pretty much everything else, including the new shorts and socks, and all of the new away kit which were not bespoke items – and all the new training kit and tracksuits, come to think of it!”

Invicta's new kit launch is now scheduled to make its debut for their second Saturday home game of the campaign on August 22 against Dorking Wanderers. Officials say fans with replica home shirts on order will be advised as soon as they arrive.

* Invicta have formally re-signed full-back Chris ‘Billy’ Elliott who goes straight into the side for their opening league game against Molesey on Saturday.

Elliott was a popular figure with the fans a couple of years back but was sold to Kent rivals Ramsgate when his fitness became an issue. The 23-year-old will replace first team regular Nat Blanks who misses the first two games through holiday.

Manager Neil Cugley, now in his 19th season at the helm, said: “Billy’s done well for us in pre-season and his free-kicks and long throws are a real bonus. We’ve signed him initially on a short term deal but we’ll see where it goes from there.”

Follow us: @rymanleaguenews on Twitter | Ryman League group on Facebook