Boss Andy Drury has explained the reasoning behind the exit of Folkestone club stalwart Callum Davies.

Former Gillingham and Maidstone centre-back Davies, 31, will leave the club this summer after eight years at Cheriton Road, making nearly 350 appearances.

Davies was offered the chance to stay but, with the club training two nights a week, it became too much of a commitment for the young dad, the former club captain.

“We tried to keep Cal,” revealed Drury. “We went to two nights’ training in early December, which he did until the end of the season.

“I’ve got a good relationship with Cal - we have known each other for a long time - and we had a chat, and we made him an offer. But he can’t really commit to two nights training.

“We kind of agreed it was time for him to move on because he couldn’t commit to what we needed. It was all very amicable.

“I still get on really well with Cal and still talk to him. Obviously, it’s disappointing.

“You never like seeing people who have been at the club for a while leave but it’s just one of those things. He has got family commitments with two young kids. It’s disappointing, but that’s football.

“We love Cal, he’s a mate of mine, he’s welcome back to the club at any time but, unfortunately, football moves on sometimes.”

While Folkestone remain in talks with defender Jason Fregene and playmaker Eddie Allsopp, Drury is close to more summer signings.

Drury, who has signed ex-Margate skipper Sam Blackman, said: “We’re pretty close on three or four.

“It’s just about them signing the contract and us announcing them when we are ready. We’re quite happy with the business we have done early doors.

“I’m pretty pleased at the moment with the work that we are doing. We’re still probably looking at three or four positions after these ones.

“But I feel like it’s about being patient. A lot of players are asking for silly money, which they do at this time of the season.

“But, when they realise people won’t be paying that kind of money, it goes down to something a little bit more sensible.”

Drury offered his congratulations to Invicta’s title-winning Kent Youth League Premier Division under-18s, who ended the season with 10 straight wins to pip Bromley to the title.

“It’s nice to see the younger teams do well,” he said. “We’ll have five or six from the Academy or the under-18s joining us for pre-season.

“They will get some game-time early in pre-season, so we can have a good look at them and see where they’re at.”

Drury also tipped close friend Danny Kedwell - someone he will come up against in a friendly on Saturday, July 13 - to do well, having taken over as Ashford manager.

Drury, who worked with Kedwell at Cray Wanderers, said: “I wish Keds all the best.

“I think he was given a pretty impossible task at the time he went into Cray, at a time when we had just had Covid.

"Cray’s whole squad had left and it was up to him to build a whole new squad when no one was really leaving their clubs.

“I’m sure he’s ready for it. I want him to do well and I’m sure he will.

“He has got Dean [Beckwith] in there with him and I think Keds deserves the opportunity.

"There’s no magic wand to make you successful, it takes time and a lot of hard work - which I’m sure he’ll put in.”

Forward David Smith has left Folkestone, despite previously agreeing terms for 2024/25.

Invicta supporters will be able to purchase their season tickets in the Dugout Sports Bar at Cheriton Road until Sunday, June 9.

Early-bird prices cover all 21 Isthmian Premier fixtures, with young adults between 13 and 17 costing £35, concessions £120 and adults an early-bird price of £196 - a £22 saving.