Gillingham will kick their pre-season schedule off with a game against Folkestone Invicta.

The Gills have agreed to head to Cheriton Road as the opposition for Invicta captain Liam Friend’s testimonial.

Friend rose through the ranks at Folkestone, starting there as a junior and has been a regular in the Ryman League team’s defence for a number of seasons, making close to 400 appearances.

Taylor’s League 1 side will return to pre-season on July 1 and will travel to Folkestone for the match on Friday, July 11.

Boss Peter Taylor said: “The players are back for pre-season testing on July 1, they won’t be training and then they start on the Wednesday.

“The first game is on the Friday night and everyone will get 45 minutes.”

Gillingham are also due to face Championship side Ipswich Town on July 26.

Folkestone captain Liam Friend inspired by Johan ter Horst's move to Premier League side Hull City.