Consortium of businesses including Addington Leisure and Alcaline UK take over day-to-day running of Isthmian Premier Folkestone Invicta

Folkestone Invicta are under new leadership after a consortium of local businesses came together to take on the day-to-day operations of the Isthmian Premier club.

The deal will see Addington Leisure join forces with Invicta’s new headline sponsor Alcaline - the Anglo-Italian haulage, shipping and warehousing group, which is based at nearby Lympne.

Their aim is to secure the long-term financial future of Folkestone Invicta at Cheriton Road for the benefit of the local community.

Josh Healey, owner of Addington Leisure, will work closely with former chairman Jim Pellatt who has helped shape the club, as Healey takes on the role of chairman.

He said: “We’re confident fans will see positive changes, on and off the field.

“We’re fully behind joint-head coaches Micheal Everitt and Roland Edge and their efforts to strengthen the squad – work which is already under way with some exciting new signings.

“We have a five to 10-year plan for the club and will build an even more engaged and passionate community around it. A key part of that will be making it a place to not only watch great local football, but also to enjoy memorable family events in the new ‘Dug Out’ sports bar.

“We want to work in partnership with the fans, council, sponsors, residents and the whole football family of Folkestone, and we are committed to putting the club at the heart of the local community.”

In the coming seasons, their plan is to transform Folkestone and introduce new training facilities, including a 3G pitch.

Managing director of Alcaline, Lorenzo Zaccheo, said: “As an Italian, football is my blood and, when Josh approached us to get on board and join the Invicta team as [a] commercial partner, we jumped at it.

“There’s already a strong desire to