Cugley steps down at Invicta

Folkestone Invicta have just released the news that manager Neil Cugley has stepped down from his role with immediate effect after twenty six seasons and more than thirteen hundred games at the helm.

The- now former- boss has released a statement, which can be found on the club website. It explains:

'As people may have heard this is to be my final season as Manager of Folkestone Invicta Football Club (FIFC) and following discussions on Monday afternoon with Micheal Everitt and Roland Edge I am pleased to say they have agreed to accept the responsibilities of running the first team from this weekend till the end of the season. I hope that everyone will support them as they have been loyal employees at our club for a long time and deserve all of our support.

As we all know the circumstances have changed during the latter couple of weeks and I have been involved with supporting the remaining members of the Board in trying to get the investment required to maintain and meet the financial shortfall we now need. Due to this I feel that with the meetings and numerous phone calls it is difficult to concentrate on all aspects of the club and being honest this may have reflected on the players and disappointing results. Due to the current shortfall I have agreed to forgo any wages for the rest of this season to assist the club’s financial position.'

Invicta currently sit in sixteenth place in the Pitching In Isthmian Premier. During Neil's time as boss they have been an almost continual presence in the upper reached of the Pitching In Isthmian Premier- apart from a few years when they were a continual presence in the upper reaches of Isthmian South, as it then was. They've reached the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup five times, the First Round once, and of course last season reached the Fourth Round of the FA Trophy after previously reaching the Third Round three times.

Neil is not only an Invicta legend but an Isthmian legend. We'd like to thank him for all of his endeavours, both inside and outside the dugout, and send our very best wishes to him for the future.

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