Folkestone Invicta defender Josh Vincent honoured with a tesimonial game against Maidstone United
Published: 00:00, 11 July 2016
Updated: 08:33, 11 July 2016
Josh Vincent will lead Folkestone out against Maidstone on Tuesday night for his testimonial match.
The 26-year-old defender has racked up more than 350 appearances for Invicta since making his first-team debut during the 2008-09 season.
Vincent, born in Elham and now living in Cheriton, calls the club home and he’s the latest member of their long-serving back-four to be recognised in this way after Liam Friend (2014) and Frankie Chappell (2015).
He said: "I’m quite a shy bloke so a night all about me isn’t really what I like.
"I’ll walk the team out but I’m not going to be captain, I don’t want anything like that. It’s another pre-season game but it is nice to be honoured.
"I got in the first team when I was 17 and only missed half a season when I had an injury. Other than that, I’ve played nearly all the games along with Friendy and Chappell.
"I started at Folkestone in the under-8s and worked all the way up to under-18 and then straight into the first team.
"It’s literally a club on my doorstep and I’d be silly to go anywhere else.
"I’ve been there nearly 20 years and when I say it like that, it sounds like I’m getting on a bit."
There will be plenty of goodwill inside the Fullicks Stadium on Tuesday but little sentiment on Vincent’s part.
He said: "Cugs (Neil Cugley) asked me if I wanted to invite any players I’ve played with before but I don’t think there’s much point in that.
"You want to see what we’ve got this year and where we are against them (Maidstone). It will be a big test for us.
"Getting Maidstone was a massive thing because they’re the team Folkestone want to be like. They’re a good club to aspire to.
"This year, a big aim (for us) would be to finish in the top half of the table.
"I think I’ve got a point to prove. I want to stay with Folkestone and I want to see if I can still handle the Ryman Premier."
Tickets cost £5 (adults) and £2 (concessions) and kick-off is at 7.45pm.
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Steve Tervet