Neil Cugley says Folkestone are “1% away” from signing new players who can take the club to the next level.

The manager believes Invicta are in the best shape in their history with just minor off-field tweaks now needing to be made.

Cugley’s side are seventh in Bostik Premier and have won 14 of their 20 games in all competitions.

“We’re in the best position we’ve ever been in as a football club, on and off the pitch,” Cugley said. “There’s a couple of little things we just want to tidy up and get them sorted and then the whole club can kick on.

“We’re so close to that and I’m very lucky that Jim Pellatt, the ex-chairman, is in charge of the finances. He’s excellent and he’s done an unbelievable job. We don’t want to spoil that by doing something we can’t afford.

“Hopefully, in the next few days, we can sort that out and bring one or two players in to move the club even further on.

“We’re 99% there, we’re so close now. It’s a club I can be proud to be manager of, both on and off the pitch.

“We haven’t got any financial worries at all, just tidying up a couple of little things that will make our club even stronger. That’s really pleasing.

“We’re not big payers, we’re not going to be one of those that’s going to throw money about, we just want to know it’s there and everything’s sorted out.

“If we sign players on contract, you’ve got another 25-30 weeks to go to pay them so you need to be a bit careful sometimes.

“It’s been hard work and we’ve had our problems but they’re all behind us. That seems a long time ago and I can only see the club progressing now.

“We’re lucky, we’re not a one-man band where someone can suddenly pull the money, we’ve got it all right and I think it’s something we can be very proud of.

“We’re very close to getting it 100% right.”

Folkestone face eight games in November, starting with a home game against Dorking Wanderers on Saturday.

The players have barely trained recently because the fixture list has been so hectic.

Cugley said: “The games have been such a high tempo or we’ve been travelling so it’s not really fair to bring the lads in. Don’t forget most of my players are from up the line; Maidstone, Tonbridge or South London.

“We need them fresh and how we’re playing at the moment, we’ve got a lot of energy in the team and it’s important they have that ready for Saturday.”

Sam Hasler returns after suspension and Cugley is hoping for good news regarding Josh Vincent (calf), Nat Blanks (knee) and Jordan Wright (shin).