Folkestone Invicta chairman Mark Jenner admits financial help is needed if the club is to hold onto their star players.

Supporters were told at an open meeting on Monday night that £10,000 is needed to cover the players' wages between now and then end of the season.

Mr Jenner said: "We want to keep the squad together but I can’t guarantee I’ve got enough in the bank for the rest of the season to pay the players.

"We’ve got to come up with the money and we’re getting ideas as to how we can fund the team. The aim is £10,000 between now and the end of the season to keep things rolling as they are.

"If we want to keep watching this team, we’ve got to do a bit more. We’ve got an entertaining side but in order to keep it together, we need some help."

Invicta manager Neil Cugley has taken on the role of chief fundraiser.

He said: "I’m confident I’ll get the money it because I know the people are good as gold like that.

"We’re not saying we should be Conference South, we’re not daft, because we haven’t got the finance to do that but we could get in the Ryman Premier and stay there for a few years and be an established club at that standard.

"But we are in this shortfall of money at the moment, which we’ve got to sort out."

Mr Jenner admitted the club’s promotion hopes now hung on whether or not the cash is raised.

He said: "I don’t think there’s a team in this league with a forward line to match ours.

"But if we have to take two of the more expensive players out of the side and replace them with local lads, we wouldn’t have the same team out there.

"To disturb any part of the team would effectively mess it up."

Folkestone are away to Walton & Hersham on Saturday.