Folkestone Invicta’s preparations for next season will be dedicated to the memory of club legend Dave Williams, who passed away last week at the age of 65.

Former assistant manager and physio Willo – as he was near universally known – passed away in the Pilgrims Hospice at Ashford on Tuesday, April 25, after a brave battle with cancer.

He died just three days after Invicta ensured their Ryman League Premier Division survival on the final day of the season but was visited in his final hours by manager and close friend Neil Cugley.

Cugley said: “He was my best mate and had been with me for 30 years. I first got to know him really well when I became manager at Hythe when Dave was the reserve team manager.

“We had a couple of years at Reachfields and later were together for six good years at Ashford Town before our 20 years here at Invicta.”

The club have confirmed proceeds from their friendly at home to former club Hythe on July 9 (2pm) and the visit to Ashford on July 25 (7.45pm) will go to cancer charities in Willo’s name.

Cugley said: “We must thank both Hythe and Ashford for readily agreeing to these games and hope that as many supporters as possible will want to be at both matches to make them both very good days in Dave’s memory.”

In his playing days, Willo enjoyed spells with Dover Reserves, Hythe and Whitstable Town before venturing into coaching and then meeting Cugley, who added: “We were together for 30 years.

“People used to say that our relationship must have been like being married, but I always put them straight – I never argued with Willo.

“Everyone loved him – directors, players, supporters. He was great fun to be around and I’m going to have to find a new room-mate now on our end-of-season trips to Magaluf.”

Willo stepped-down as head physio at the Fullicks Stadium last summer, but stood in when his successor and assistant Abi Winstanley had work commitments in the first few weeks of this season.

He cut down his football commitments and took early retirement from his job as an electrician at Dungeness Power Station, to spend more time with wife Sue and take the chance to visit his daughter Kelly in New Zealand and son Mark, who now lives in Canada.

Cugley added: “I’m going to miss him so much. Everyone at the club will.”

His funeral will take place on Tuesday, May 9, at St Nicholas Church, New Romney, at 11am, followed by a short service at Charing Crematorium for close family and friends.

A get-together follows at the Captain Howey Hotel in New Romney.

Family flowers only. Donations to the Pilgrims Hospice if wished. Dress as comfortable, colours welcome.

o The club will also host Millwall in a friendly as part of the deal which took striker Harry Smith to the New Den, on Tuesday, July 11.