The Pitching In Isthmian Football League

Invicta Chair departs

19 Oct 2022 By Ian Townsend

Paul Morgan announces his departure after six successful years

Folkestone Invicta Chairman Paul Morgan has announced his decision to part company with the club, resigning as both Chair and Director. In a statement released on Saturday, he explained:

'It is with regret and deep sadness that I inform you that as of today I have decided to resign as chairman and Director of Folkestone Invicta Football Club. I made this decision a couple of weeks ago and informed the Directors of my decision at the time, I felt that the announcement should not be made public until after todays FA Cup game so that the moral and support and the performance of the team wasn’t affected in anyway.

I have had 6 great years as Chairman and as you know I set myself a 3 year plan to get the football club promoted to a league the club deserves to be in, but I have sadly failed. We nearly got there but nearly is not good enough for me, so I feel it’s time for change and I really hope the new Chairman can take the club that step further and get Folkstone Invicta Football Club promoted where I sadly failed.

I feel I am leaving the football club in good hands, debt free and financially stable.

I would like to thank everyone involved with the football club and you the fantastic supporters who have always backed me, got behind me and made me feel welcome from day one and I can’t thank you all enough.

I would like to wish you all the very best for the season and the future.'

The club yesterday released a statement of their own, expressing their shock at Morgan's departure.

'We are all disappointed that Paul has decided to resign as Chairman and Director of Folkestone Invicta FC Ltd. Last week’s resignation came completely out of the blue and was a shock to all at Folkestone Invicta. After we received Paul’s letter of resignation, we tried to arrange a meeting, but this was unsuccessful. Paul and Rachel will always receive a warm welcome when they visit the club in the future.

We thank Paul for the investment he has made over his 5 years at the club which includes the refurbishment of Bar Invicta, water tanks and pumps and the installation of the perimeter fence which was provided by Build Kent Ltd and Newport Grab Hire.

During the five years FIFC has also applied for various grants enabling further improvements such as terracing, floodlights and the new social area behind Bar Invicta. Bar Invicta now makes a very important addition to the Club’s financial position. Additionally, volunteers revamped the Wilf Armoury and Board area, and this is now used to host the Active Community Development post 16 Academy which is another income stream for the club and their donation of the players new kit.

Our success on the pitch combined with grants, transfer fees and improved income streams, has meant we have been completely self-financing and self-sustaining, for the last two and a half years.

The latter five years has been successful on and off the pitch and FIFC are committed to carry on and move the Club forwards. We are in the early stages of discussion with possible investors and would like to thank all the people who have contacted us over this weekend with offers of support at this difficult time. We will keep people updated as soon as possible with any important developments.

Thank you for all your tremendous support which so much contributes to the atmosphere and playing performance.'

During the last six years Invicta have been a force in the Pitching In Isthmian Premier under the stewardship of Paul and first team manager Neil Cugley. They reached the Play Off's in 2017-18 and narrowly missed out in 2018-19 and last season, reached the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup three times, and last season reached the Fourth Round of the FA Trophy before losing to eventual Finalists Wrexham. They looked play off certainties when 2019-20 came to an early end, and indeed were only nine points behind leaders Worthing with two matches in hand.

Where next?

Four, three, two… There’s a certain symmetry about last night’s results, with four-nil wins in the Pitching In Isthmian Premier, three-nil across the South East and two-nil throughout the North. We also had lots of Velocity Cup matches, although with no pretty stats