The Pitching In Isthmian Football League

Doubling up to mark milestone

9 Apr 2016 By David Watters

Folkestone Invicta are planning to party not once but twice to celebrate manager Neil Cugley's one thousandth game in charge of the Ryman South champions.

After painstaking research and several hours of checking fixture lists going back almost two decades, Invicta's officials have confirmed that Cugley's milestone match comes next Saturday away at Three Bridges (April 16).

As well as marking the occasion on the road, Invicta are planning to mount a major celebration at their last home game of the season on Saturday April 23 when they host Tooting & Mitcham United at the Fullicks Stadium.

Invicta's 59-year-old manager, who was born and grew up in the Kent town, is set to complete a remarkable 19 consecutive seasons at the helm after managing Hythe Town, Ashford Town for seven successful seasons and the old Invicta briefly before it was wound up.

Folkestone Invicta

Fittingly, after winning the championship and promotion to the Ryman's top flight at a canter in arguably his most successfull season yet, Invicta say Cugley is looking forward to seeing many of his former players and the close friends he has made during a lifetime in football at the end of season party with supporters and officials.

A club spokesman said: “We celebrated the fact that Neil had passed 900 games some time ago, but wanted to be totally sure that we’d got the right match before claiming a landmark as significant as the 1,000 games for this football club.

“We must thank our long-time programme editor Richard Murrill - who is also our club secretary - and our website statistician Colin Ashman for their hard work in tracking down all the information and verifying what we are now confident is the definitive 1000th game for our manager.”

Cugley will get another chance to celebrate his side's achievements this season after Invicta pencilled in their end of season awards night at The Stripes Club for Sunday 1 May. Before that, fans can have their pictures taken with the Ryman South trophy at their two remaining home games, Carshalton Athletic this Saturday followed by the Terrors.

Image courtesy of www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk

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