End of an era at Folkestone Invicta as Pauline Cugley - wife of Neil Cugley - stands behind the bar at Cheriton Road for the final time this weekend
Published: 05:00, 13 April 2023
Updated: 10:16, 13 April 2023
It will be the end of an era at Folkestone this Saturday.
Pauline Cugley, the wife of legendary former Invicta manager Neil Cugley, will be behind the bar at Cheriton Road for the final time officially when they host promotion-chasing Isthmian Premier outfit Canvey Island.
Neil has now taken up a position as the club’s head of football operations but Mrs Cugley will leave big boots to fill this summer.
Joint-boss Micheal Everitt said: “She’s a massive part of the football club, as is Neil.
“Neil is still part of the football side and will be around the football club every week.
"Pauline has done such a fantastic job.
“I don’t think she has missed a week, to be fair, which shows how committed she is to the football club.
"They love the football club and are massive parts of the club.
“I don’t think she’ll be far away, but the job she has done is outstanding.”
Folkestone completed the double over Kent rivals Margate on Easter Monday with a 1-0 victory at Hartsdown Park through striker Ibrahim Olutade’s goal, as young goalkeeper Joe Coleman came in for Pat Ohman.
Everitt reflected: “It was a good win.
"I thought we were very good, first half, and probably should have been up by two or three goals. To be fair to them, Margate improved in the second half and caused us a few problems.
“We were grateful that our young goalkeeper made some crucial saves at important times.”
Coleman impressively stepped up to the mark after Ohman suffered a bad injury during Easter Friday’s goalless home draw with Carshalton.
“It’s not a good one,” Everitt conceded.
“He has got a dislocated elbow and broke some part of his arm.
“That’s going to be a little bit of a recovery for him, but Joe’s come in and did excellently on Monday. He deserves to play if he plays like that.
“While it was a negative for Pat to get injured, it was a positive for Joe to come in and do a good job.”
Folkestone could still yet earn a top-10 finish and will end their campaign at Bognor Regis after Saturday’s home clash against Canvey, who beat them 3-0 in December.
“The target is always to attack every game and try to win,” Everitt noted.
“We know they’re going for promotion.
“They beat us at their place so we’ll look to rectify that with a performance and result on Saturday.”
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Thomas Reeves