Folkestone Invicta Football Club are delighted to announce a new era of women’s football in Folkestone with the formation of the club’s first ever senior women’s team.

Last season’s U18 girls team, who finished runners up in both their Kent Girls/Ladies Football League division and the Tina Marshall Trophy, will make the step into senior football, joining the South East Counties Women’s Football League for the 2024/25 season under the leadership of manager Mark Janser.

The U18s was one of five girls teams operating within Folkestone Invicta Youth last season, with the girls game in Folkestone, and at Invicta, continuing to grow year on year.

There are currently twice as many female football teams registered across the UK compared to 2017. The growth of the sport has been pushed by the success of the Lionesses, with approximately 1,500 teams being registered in the year following their Euro 2022 victory.

Josh Healey, chairman of Folkestone Invicta FC, said: “This is absolutely huge for the club, for our local community and for women’s football generally.”

“This has certainly been one of our priorities since we joined FIFC last summer,” he added.

“It’s so important to us as a club that we have female representation on the pitch, so I’m really thrilled we’ve managed to get this over the line ahead of next season.

“This is set to be a pathway for the girls in our youth sides and will hopefully encourage more to get involved. It’s important they have as much opportunity as possible to progress.”

The GSE Group, who proudly employ over 350 people across all areas of the company, will be the main sponsors of our Women’s team.

“We’re really proud to be sponsoring the Folkestone Invicta Women’s team,” Managing Director Tony Bowles said, “They’re going to be a real asset to the club.”

The club would like to invite players to attend open trials at Three Hills Sports Park on Sunday 30th June 11am-12pm. If interested please contact manager Mark Janser on 07903 433811