Neil Cugley has challenged some of his younger players to prove they’re good enough for the Ryman League Premier Division.

It’s been a frustrating summer for Cugley in the transfer market with the financial demands of some targets meaning he’s been unable to add to his promotion-winning squad.

Cugley was close to completing a significant deal this week but talks with that player are now on hold.

However, the manager has faith in the players who carried Invicta to the Division 1 South title last season.

He said: "There’s a lot of players there who need to prove something to themselves.

"Liam Friend and Frankie Chappell played in the Premier for a little while but people like Josh Vincent and Ashley Miller have got to show they can play at that standard – consistently.

"We were consistently good in the Ryman South and know they’re quality Ryman South players. What they’ve got to now show is they can do it at the next level.

"Be it Ronnie Dolan, be it Jordan Wright, Miller, JV, Nat Blanks, there’s a lot there who have got to show me and the public they can handle that league.

"I think they can but they’ve got to do it week in, week out. That’s what makes you a competitive team.

"We know certain players have played in it like Ian Draycott and Phil Starkey but a lot of them have got a point to prove and hopefully they will."

Read the full story in the Folkestone & Hythe Express.