Folkestone boss Neil Cugley has praised his outstanding captain Liam Friend.

The centre-half, who turns 28 this month, has led Invicta to the verge of automatic promotion after four seasons of missing out in the play-offs.

Folkestone are 18 points clear at the top of Ryman League Division 1 South and they boast the division's best defence, having conceded just 27 goals in 37 games.

Friend admitted Invicta were "rubbish" in last season's play-off final, when they lost 3-0 at home to Merstham, but he's been a rock throughout their title charge this term.

Cugley said: "Friendy probably took last season’s disappointment of our play-off final defeat harder than anyone, but once we’d recovered from the shellshock he was one of the first to say that we should aim for automatic promotion this season.

"On the pitch, he leads by example and our defensive record speaks for itself - but not too many people realise just how good a captain he is off the park, too.

"We’ve got some big characters in this squad but Friendy, more than anyone, has galvanised just what we’re trying to do here.

"He really is a credit to his family, to himself and to this football club. Let’s hope he’ll be lifting the championship trophy in a few weeks’ time."