Folkestone Invicta manager Andy Drury on the departure of club stalwart defender Callum Davies this summer

Boss Andy Drury has explained the reasoning behind the exit of Folkestone club stalwart Callum Davies.

Former Gillingham and Maidstone centre-back Davies, 31, will leave the club this summer after eight years at Cheriton Road, making nearly 350 appearances.

Davies was offered the chance to stay but, with the club training two nights a week, it became too much of a commitment for the young dad, the former club captain.

“We tried to keep Cal,” revealed Drury. “We went to two nights’ training in early December, which he did until the end of the season.

“I’ve got a good relationship with Cal - we have known each other for a long time - and we had a chat, and we made him an offer. But he can’t really commit to two nights training.

“We kind of agreed it was time for him to move on because he couldn’t commit to what we needed. It was all very amicable.

“I still get on really well with Cal and still talk to him. Obviously, it’s disappointing.

“You never like seeing people who have been at the club for a while leave but it’s just one of those things. He has got family commitments with two young kids. It’s disappointing, but that’s football.

“We love Cal, he’s a mate of mine, he’s welcome back to the club at any time but, unfortunately, football moves on sometimes.”

While Folkestone remain in talks with defender Jason Fregene and playmaker Eddie Allsopp, Drury is close to more summer signings.

Drury, who has signed ex-Margate skipper Sam Blackman, said: “We’re pretty close on three or four.

“It’s just about them signing the contract and us announcing them when we are ready. We’re quite happy with the business we have done early doors.

“I’m pretty pleased at the moment with the work that we are doing. We’re still probably looking