Promotion hopefuls Folkestone Invicta start the new season this weekend with a stronger squad than the one which reached the play-off final in May.

That’s the view of manager Neil Cugley, who’s recruited wisely over the summer following the sale of teenager Johan ter Horst to Hull City.

Former Maidstone striker Ian Draycott, who’s replaced ter Horst in attack, scored a remarkable 11 goals in pre-season. Darren Smith adds huge experience to the Invicta midfield having returned to the club from promoted Leatherhead. And Cugley made a final addition to his squad last weekend when he signed pacy winger Jon Pilbeam.

Even without ter Horst, this is a Folkestone squad good enough to win Ryman League Division 1 South after three straight years of play-off heartbreak.

Cugley said: "I think it is (a better squad). I’ve got a good balance of players and I’m expecting good things from them.

"But you just don’t know what other teams have got. You don’t know who’s got money. Last year Peacehaven came from nowhere (to win the title) and there will be some good sides again – Hastings, Carshalton and Tooting & Mitcham.

"We want to get into the play-offs. The players all know that’s the aim and after that, we’ll see. We’re not massive payers so we’ve got to use our budget in the right way.

"The CVA runs out in February, which is the perfect time, if we’re there or thereabouts (because it would boost the budget). Until then, we’ve got to be careful with what we spend."

Folkestone are away to Three Bridges on Saturday and at home to Faversham on Tuesday.