Folkestone Invicta admitted they were disappointed to lose promising keeper Henry Newcombe but have been quick to promote a replacement.

Former Gills youngster Newcombe was a back-up to Tim Roberts at Folkestone but wants match action and joined Chatham on loan shortly before the curtailment of the 2020/21 season. He has now made the switch to the Chats permanent.

Invicta have a sell-on clause for Newcombe - a young goalkeeper who is now expected to get the game-time he wants with the ambitious Southern Counties East Premier Division side.

Invicta boss Neil Cugley said: “We are obviously disappointed to lose Henry, but we understand the circumstances and obviously he needs to be playing every week.

“We made sure we have a percentage sell-on clause, that is how highly we rate him, and we expect him to kick on now he’s able to play regularly.

“He is a good lad who handles himself well. Chatham are ambitious and want to get themselves up leagues and he will get a regular game.”

Newcombe leaves after making 18 appearances for Folkestone and the void in the squad will be filled by the club’s under-18s goalkeeper Connor Collins. He was on the bench for a few games last season including Invicta’s last competitive game, against Hornchurch on November 3.

Cugley told the club’s website: “Connor has shown excellent form at that level and has impressed our first team players.”

He will be involved in the first team friendlies over the summer. Cugley’s men begin their summer pre-season campaign at home to Ramsgate on Saturday, June 26. That game could be an opportunity for their latest arrival, 34-year-old defender Ryan Johnson, to face one of his former teams.

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