Folkestone boss Andy Drury has completed his backroom team after confirming the arrival of the club’s head of recruitment.

Steven Miller arrives from Ramsgate where he has spent the last two years working with managers Steve Lovell and Ben Smith, having previously spent 2021/22 across the Thanet divide as head of recruitment for Margate.

While Drury is still on the lookout for more players - despite the arrivals of ex-Hornchurch winger Ellis Brown and former Chatham midfielder Eze Ebuzoeme - Folkestone, who have also brought in sports therapist Beth Cooper and first-team coach Kevin Brown during the close season, have finalised their off-the-field line-up.

Drury said: “Steven is someone I have known for a few years.

"He has got good contacts in the game, he kind of joined us about a month ago.

“I’ve had interactions with him when he was at Ramsgate, as well. He’s a good bloke.

“We’re pretty much there with the coaching staff, we’re just one or two away playing-wise.

“Hopefully, we can get something done about that over the next week or so.”

Invicta were edged out 5-3 on penalties in their home weekend pre-season friendly against Drury’s former club, Margate, after a goalless draw as the Isthmian South East side claimed the Sid Burvill Trophy. Midfielder Dean Rance was denied from the spot.

“We were really good for about 65 minutes,” reflected Drury. “We created chances and, really, could have had four or five goals.

“But their keeper [Tom Wray] did really well and we missed some chances.

“We kept two or three on to get them up-to-speed and brought on some trialists, so it was a bit disjointed. They came on top of us a little bit in the second half.

“But overall, it’s about getting minutes into the boys.”

That came after Invicta had lost 2-1 to last term’s Southern Counties East Premier Division champions Deal at home despite defender Marvel Ekpiteta’s second-half goal last Tuesday.

“We went to three at the back,” Drury explained. “We were a little bit unorganised and were just trying to get minutes into the boys.

“As soon as we changed shape in the second half, I think the statistics showed that we had 77% of the possession.

“That’s kind of what pre-season is for - changing shape, trying different things, and seeing what works and what doesn’t.”

Invicta end their run of warm-up games at Tonbridge this Saturday, having been defeated 1-0 at home to fellow National League South side Maidstone on Tuesday.

Drury noted: “We have played so many games against teams below us.

"Some in these teams, I’ve released and they have just raised their game a little bit.

“We probably have players ourselves that feel that they can play at that (National League South) level and some will come up against former clubs.”

While Invicta have been handed positive news on forward Tom Derry’s eye injury, young goalkeeper Dan Kennedy has sustained a knock in training and midfielder Jack Jebb is also struggling.

But Drury confirmed: “Beth has been busy. But I don’t think any are longer-term.

“I hope to have the full squad available before the first game of the season.

"We’re hoping to have Tom back over the next week or 10 days or so.”

Winger Joan Luque has left Folkestone and returned to Spain while young midfielder Brad Walledge has joined Kennington on dual registration.

Folkestone have been drawn at home against Phoenix Sports in the first round of the Kent Senior Cup. The tie has been scheduled for Tuesday, September 24.

Ex-Ramsgate midfielder Medy Elito has signed for Hythe.

Sammy Moore’s Cannons have confirmed Jack Steventon as skipper and fellow defender Lex Allen as vice-captain for the coming season.

Hythe were beaten 2-1 by Isthmian Premier Dulwich last weekend, conceding twice in the latter stages after a penalty by Oscar Webb had put them in front at Reachfields, before they lost 2-1 to lower-division Canterbury City despite Ephraim Adanemhen's second-half strike on Tuesday.

The Cannons end pre-season at Combined Counties Premier Division South Abbey Rangers on Saturday.

Hythe have been drawn at Sheppey in the first round of the Kent Senior Cup, with the winners playing Deal or Sittingbourne.