Former Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley and head of football operations backs joint-bosses Roland Edge and Micheal Everitt

It’s time for joint-bosses Roland Edge and Micheal Everitt to put their own stamp on Folkestone’s squad - according to the man they replaced.

The duo succeeded legendary manager Neil Cugley in October. Despite the sale of striker Ade Yusuff to Hornchurch, Edge and Everitt saw them to a 12th-placed Isthmian Premier finish and now have a first full pre-season to make their mark.

“They need to build their team and do it their way,” Cugley said.

“Obviously, I think players will leave.

“A lot of players do play for the manager - that’s how non-league works now. Most of them are on one-year contracts.

“I’ll be there to back them because, obviously, I want them to do well.”

Cugley will be happy to recommend players to the joint-head coaches in his new role as head of football operations, should they want him to. But nothing will replace the feeling of being clapped off after a home win for the 66-year-old.

He said: “I wouldn’t mind watching games and recommending players.

“At the end of the day, people forget I’m a Folkestone fan. I came here when I was six or seven years old.

“Hopefully, I will be involved and maybe recommend players to Mev and Edgy.

“It will never replace that great feeling of being clapped off after a home win. But I’ve stepped down from that.”

Cugley’s wife, Pauline, also recently stood down from her role, running Folkestone’s bar.

Neil said: “I backed Pauline when she wanted to see the season out. She’s raised thousands for the club over the last few years.

“For a little bar like that to raise so much is incredible.”

Folkestone finished their campaign with a 2-0 defeat at Bognor last weekend.

Brothers Ronnie and Robbie Dolan, alongside James Rogers, played for Lydd in their Southern Counties East Division