Joint-head coach Micheal Everitt can already see leadership characteristics in one of Folkestone’s latest two summer arrivals.

Invicta unveiled the signing of centre-half Jake Goodman alongside the addition of Ade Cole over the weekend.

Goodman spent last season with National League South Dover and has previously played for Margate, Bromley and Ebbsfleet, while midfielder Cole reunites with returning player-coach Andy Drury at Cheriton Road. The pair worked together in the 2022/23 campaign at Margate.

Cole’s list of former clubs also includes Braintree, Billericay and Hemel Hempstead.

Everitt said: “Jake Goodman, already, you can see he’s a leader. He talks incredibly well.

“He’s not played at this level! You can already see what effect he’s had on the group, talking to some of our young players.

“With Ade, I genuinely feel like he’s one of the best passers in the league.”

But Everitt, in charge alongside Roland Edge, says Invicta’s summer business isn’t over with two or three more recruits being eyed up after they beat off other interest for Goodman, 29, and 28-year-old Cole.

“They’re coming for the right reasons,” noted Everitt.

“They like what we’re trying to do as a football club. We’re trying to push forward and play in a certain way.

“We’re probably two or three short at the moment.

“But we will not be rushed in making decisions for the sake of it.

“We’ve targeted players that we want. Ade Cole definitely has been on the radar for a long, long time.

“So we’re delighted we managed to get him.”

Isthmian Premier Folkestone, who started their pre-season campaign at home to Tonbridge with a 1-0 loss on Tuesday through an own goal, host Brightlingsea next Tuesday ahead of a trip to neighbours Dover.

Everitt explained: “We have gone for a bit of a mix. We have two or three higher teams and some from below.

“We also have some on grass pitches and some on 3G pitches.

“There’s definitely been a thought process that’s gone into what we are doing.”

There’s a different feel to Invicta’s squad this time, too, with long-serving defenders Josh Vincent and Matt Newman at Faversham while midfielder Kane Penn has signed for Folkestone as have Drury, Goodman and Cole as part of their new-look team.

Everitt, speaking on Monday, said: “It’s a different-looking Folkestone side.

“The lads walked past the pitch on Tuesday. While it wasn’t like it should be last year, it looked good.

“As players, I think they’re looking forward to the games.

“They can gauge where they are physically and also get an understanding of how we’ll play.

“But it’s not going to happen straight away - you do that through games.”