Neil Cugley is due to meet Folkestone Invicta chairman Lynn Woods this week to discuss the club’s playing budget after the club’s return to the Ryman League Premier Division.

Cugley, back from the players’ end-of-season trip to Spain, extended by a couple of days because of the volcanic ash cloud, said: "I’m waiting to find out what the figures are but we will be running a tight ship again and just have to get on with it.

"The Premier Division has probably come a bit quick for us but these things test you. Last season was probably one of the toughest in my management career because we had no control over what was happening and never sure if the plug was going to be pulled."

Cugley’s young side have grown up together, playing around 50 games in both the last two seasons. James Everitt is close to 200 appearances for the club, Liam Friend is nearing 150, and five others have clocked up 100 plus games.

All last season’s squad are set to return next season, with Cugley looking forward to having Jimmy Jackson and Darren Smith’s experience to call on again.

He said: "Jimmy suffered a knee problem last season and is hoping to get that sorted out and Darren had a good season for us. He is 33 in November but still fit and he and Jimmy were a great help to me."

The club are finalising their pre-season programme and hope to announce all the dates soon.