After 70 days Invicta will return to action on Saturday as we make the short trip to Reachfields to visit neighbours Hythe Town.

It is the first of eight pre-season fixtures for Jay Saunders to work his side towards the opening day of the Isthmian League.

While we do not have a definitive date for our league fixture schedule, they are expected to arrive around Wednesday 16th July and we will of course update supporters when we know more.

Team News

Jay Saunders and his management team have had players in for two weeks of pre-season training ahead of our opening fixture.

Supporters can expect to see all 12 players signed on for the 2025/26 campaign in action – this includes five returning players and seven new signings. Our matchday squad will also feature a number of trialists.

Kit

Invicta will be taking to the pitch for the first time in our brand new Hope+Glory home kits for the first time on Saturday. You can buy yours online now, or pop into Landau Sport at 111 Sandgate Road to buy in store.

From The Manager

First-team manager Jay Saunders said ahead of our return to action this week: “After a solid two weeks on the training pitch we’re looking forward to getting stuck into our first pre-season fixture tomorrow against Hythe. The players have been working hard on their fitness so I’m looking forward to seeing them out on the pitch and putting that good work into practice.

“We’re taking a big group into these early pre-season games, made up of our first-team players and a number of trialists we’re looking at. This allows us to manage players’ minutes as we continue to build fitness and sharpness and avoid overexertion.

“The focus is on getting the squad physically ready for the season ahead and allowing them to get a feel for the ball in game situations and a feel for each other as new teammates.

“We’re excited to get going and hopefully see a lot our supporters down there getting behind the lads and catching an early glimpse of our new group and what’s to come from us this season.”

The Opposition

After relegation from the Isthmian South East Division at the end of last season, Hythe Town are rebuilding ahead of the new SCEFL campaign. Former Invicta midfielder Sammy Moore began the 2024/25 season in the Reachfields dugout but departed early on, replaced by Nick Davis who then departed in mid-April after relegation had been confirmed. The club has also seen a change at the very top, with Andy Nanda taking over as Chairman in May.

Recent Meetings

Since Invicta’s promotion to the Isthmian Premier Division in 2016, a pre-season friendly between the clubs has been an almost annual tradition, with a few Kent Senior Cup meetings scattered in amongst them.

Invicta haven’t visited Reachfields since two trips in 2022, including a memorable Kent Senior Cup semi-final played in front of a crowd of 1,019. Ade Yusuff scored Invicta’s second goal that night and is the only member of our current squad to either play or score against The Cannons.

Last 6

20/07/19 – Hythe 3-2 Invicta (Friendly)
29/10/19 – Invicta 5-1 Hythe (Kent Senior Cup)
17/07/21 – Invicta 2-1 Hythe (Friendly)
27/04/22 – Hythe 0-2 Invicta (Kent Senior Cup semi-final)
26/07/22 – Hythe 0-3 Invicta (Friendly)
29/07/23 – Invicta 5-1 Hythe (Friendly)

The Manager

Following their relegation to the SCEFL, Hythe appointed former Invicta forward Ira Jackson Jr as their new manager. Since departing Invicta in January 2024, Ira has taken on roles as manager of Corinthian U23 before joining Sheppey United as a first-team coach last season.

Saturday will be Ira’s first fixture as manager of Hythe, a club where he made 132 appearances and scored 53 goals across two spells.

One To Watch

Earlier this week Hythe Town announced the signing of former Folkestone Invicta Youth & Academy goalkeeper Dan Kennedy. Dan made five appearances for Invicta’s first team last season, making his debut in a Kent Senior Cup tie against Phoenix Sports, before featuring in four Isthmian Premier Division fixtures later in the campaign.

Familiar Faces

Ira Jackson and Dan Kennedy won’t be the only faces familiar to Invicta fans. Defenders Elliott Moore and Will Dempsey have also made the move to Reachfields this summer, with both players having brief spells at Invicta in 2023.

Hythe fans will be familiar with Invicta defender Liam Smith who had a four-year stay at Reachfields before joining Sittingbourne last summer, captaining the club to the South East play-off final and their best ever run in the FA Trophy.

How To Follow

You can keep up to date with the action with updates from our X (formerly Twitter) account.

The Venue

Hythe Town’s Reachfields Stadium is situated just off the A259 Dymcurch Road. Supporters can park and enter from the east end of the stadium, where they will also find a new bar.

Travel

Always check rail times/strike action before you travel. 

Our first trip of pre-season is a nice and easy one with multiple services from Folkestone Bus Station (Bay D1). The 102 or 103 service stops at Reachfields stop (opposite Aldi), a five-minute walk from the stadium. The 104 service stops at Hythe Light Railway Station, a seven-minute walk.

Admission  

Supporters can pay on the gate or buy online for this fixture.

• Adult: £5
• Concession: £3
• Children: £2