Friendlies dedicated to late physio

Universally known as Willo, the former Invicta assistant manager and physio passed away aged 65 last Tuesday (April 25) following a brave battle with cancer and three days after his beloved club secured their top flight status at the end of the regular Ryman Premier season.

Invicta manager Neil Cugley, who visited his friend of more than 30 years in his final hours, is looking forward to seeing the proceeds of their pre-season friendlies at home to Hythe Town on Saturday July 9 and a specially organised tribute match at newly crowned Southern Counties East League champions Ashford Town on Tuesday 25 July being donated to a cancer charity being set up in his friend's name.

Officials at the Fullicks Stadium say collections among fans are also planned at both fixtures for the their head physio who stood down last summer after taking early retirement from his job as an electrician at Dungeness Power Station to spend more time with wife Sue and visit his daughter Kelly in New Zealand and son Mark in Canada.

Cugley said: “We must thank both Hythe and Ashford for readily agreeing to these games and hope that as many supporters as possible will want to be at both matches to make them both very good days in Dave’s memory.

“He was my best mate and had been with me for 30 years. I first got to know him really well when I became manager at Hythe when Dave was the reserve team manager. We had a couple of years at Reachfields and later were together for six good years at Ashford Town before our 20 years here at Invicta.”

Willo played for Dover Reserves, Hythe and Whitstable Town before moving into coaching and teaming up with Cugley who added: “People used to say that our relationship must have been like being married but I always put them straight – I never argued with Willo.

"Everyone loved him – directors, players, supporters. He was great fun to be around and I’m going to have to find a new room-mate now on our end-of-season trips to Magaluf. I’m going to miss him so much. Everyone at the club will.”

The funeral service for the Invicta stalwart is taking place at 11am on Tuesday 9 May at St Nicholas Church in New Romney and will be followed by a short service at Charing Crematorium for close family and friends.

Image courtesy of Don Linkin/folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk

Follow us: @officialrymanFL on Twitter | www.facebook.com/isthmianleague