Chairman Josh Healey is hopeful Folkestone will name their new boss this week.

Isthmian Premier Invicta have been without a permanent manager since Andy Drury’s dismissal this month.

While Tim Dixon had taken charge of Folkestone’s last two home games, he was unable to make the trip to Cheshunt for last weekend’s 1-0 defeat, which left coach Andy Morris and injured midfielder Dean Rance in charge - supported by Healey.

“All being well, we should have an announcement this week,” revealed Healey, ahead of Saturday’s derby visit of Chatham.

“I think we’re 99 per cent there in terms of an announcement, we’re just finalising the finer details. If that isn’t finalised, Tim Dixon will be back in for the weekend. He had work commitments last weekend.

“But we’re hopeful that we will announce something this week regarding the managerial position.”

Asked if the new person would be at the helm until the end of the season or the permanent successor to Drury, Healey replied: “It will be a long-term project.

“We realised we were not going to make the play-offs so we thought it would be better to get someone in before the end of the season. They can get to know the people around the club.

“Naturally, we have had multiple enquiries - not just to the secretary (Richard Murrill) but, also, to myself personally. I’m not sure how they got my number!

“I feel for the fans. It’s been more than two weeks and they might have felt there would have been a decision made quicker.

“But there was a plan in place, it wasn’t a gung-ho decision. We were going to make this call.

“Hopefully, the fans will be pleased with this announcement.”

There had been speculation Healey himself had led a depleted Invicta team at Cheshunt, with just three substitutes being named.

But he confirmed: “Andy Mo and Dean Rance took the game.

“I was more moral support and mucking in because things have been tumultuous since Andy Drury left. But it was certainly Andy Mo and Dean Rance that took the game.

“They’re the ones with the footballing backgrounds.”

While 12th-placed Folkestone are destined to finish in mid-table, they can still have a real say at the top-end of the table amid their season run-in.

Healey said: “We have got Chatham on Saturday and then Dartford the following weekend, and Billericay and Cray Valley to play, as well.

“Out of our last six games, we have got three of the top five to play. And we have still got a job to do for the loyal fans. The players know that.

"Hopefully, with the incoming manager being announced, they will want to put on a show for them, too.”

When Invicta played Chatham at the Bauvill Stadium in mid-December, they were defeated 4-1 despite forward Joe Turner’s goal.

Folkestone have also been given the green light to move forward with plans for a new 3G pitch at Cheriton Road this summer while a 2-1 victory at Mersham Sports saw the women’s team crowned South East Counties Kent Division 2 East League champions on Sunday.

“Off the field, things are going in the right direction,” Healey said.

“That’s key because we want to make the club as sustainable as we can.

“We got planning permission last week for our 3G pitch and, now, we will be cracking on with that in the summer.

“The newly-formed women’s first team have won their league in their first season and we have got exciting plans for the Academy and the youth section, as well.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day. But I do know that the club’s success does heavily depend on how the first team is doing.

“Hopefully, we’ll see improvements there, as well, next season.”

Folkestone will hold a youth and Academy forum on Monday, April 7, from 6.30pm.

Supporters, players, parents and coaches are invited to discuss matters specifically regarding the club’s youth and Academy sections.