Now doesn't that take the (dog) biscuit!

Last season we mourned the passing of Non-League football’s favourite dog.

Ari the Great Dane had delighted supporters at grounds around the South East- with the exception of Dover Athletic, apparently, as he was against the rules- in his capacity as chief mascot of Folkestone Invicta FC. The gentle giant followed the stripes whilst always clad in the correct kit, home or away- and there was much sadness when he crossed the rainbow bridge.

If you attend the Fullicks Stadium this season, however, from a distance you may just think that your eyes are deceiving you. Seeing one Great Dane in replica kit was rather astounding, but now there’s another! It’s Summertime at Folkestone!

Summer, also owned by Ari’s ‘mum’ Sharon, attended her first Invicta match on 30th September last year, aged just eight weeks. Indeed, she’d just that morning left the kennels in which she was born, so her first ever experience in the big wide world was watching the stripes take on Aylesbury United! And she may not actually be related to Ari, but Sharon feels that she’s very much a chip off the old block.

“Summer spent that whole match on our laps (as she was too young to go on the floor) and clearly loved watching the players with the ball going back and forth up the pitch- and also loved meeting all the fans. She isn't related to Ari but I swear he parted this world instilling some of his characteristics in his successor.

“She has a very wise old soul for such a young pup. She is gentle, kind, loving and quiet, just as Ari was.”

Summer is not the new Ari, though.

“It took me a long time before I had the heart and strength to let Summer wear Ari's shirt but now she wears the complete kit and looks stunning in it. Ari will be looking down with great pride. The kits were donated by our lovely chairman Paul Morgan in Ari's honour- he also supplied Ari's home and away kits. Paul is such a wonderful man and because of him Ari's legend lives on (Ari also has two specially commissioned memorial plaques in the stadium) and we hope Summer will follow in Ari's paw prints for many years to come.”

So if you’re heading to Invicta this season, be sure to take a pocket full of dog biscuits. And if you happen to see two Great Danes, your eyes are not deceiving you- Summer has a sister, Poppy, who is also a dedicated Invicta fan.

Words and pictures courtesy of Mick Cork at Folkestone Invicta