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Folkestone Invicta striker Harry Smith interesting Skybet Championship clubs after a trial with Aberdeen FC
00:00, 13 April 2016
Championship clubs are monitoring Folkestone striker Harry Smith following his successful trial with Aberdeen.
The 20-year-old was north of the border last week and impressed Pittodrie bosses before flying back to score for Invicta on Saturday.
Folkestone signed Smith from Sittingbourne in December and he’s scored 12 goals for Neil Cugley’s side having started just 11 games.
Cugley said: "Somebody came to watch and asked if they could take him up there.
"It all happened quickly and I gather he did quite well, so they’ll keep an eye on him.
"I was surprised (Aberdeen came in) but there are other clubs watching him.
"There are a couple of Championship clubs but it will all go back to how he performs.
"We can talk about it forever but if he plays well and scores goals... he’s 20 years old, 6ft 6in and he’s scored a goal a game, so people should be watching him."
Speaking after Folkestone clinched the league title last month, Smith said he was relishing the chance to test himself in the Ryman League Premier Division.
He said: "We don’t want to just cement our place. We’re confident in ourselves and want to push on, kick on again.
"I feel I’ve become 10 times a better player here, especially with the likes of Cugs, Roland Edge and Jason Lillis.
"They’re in my ear every session, every day, telling me to improve and things to work on. I appreciate that."
Folkestone paid Sittingbourne a nominal fee for Smith although a sell-on clause means the Brickies would receive 15% of any future transfer fee.
Cugley said: "I hope he stays with us for another year but I’d never not let a player go.
"If they can play in the Football League and earn a living out of football, as long as everybody’s compensated for that, you’ve got to let them move on.
"Harry’s a better player than I thought he was. He’s done well, his touch is good and he’s fairly good in the air although, ironically, that’s an area where he could be a bit more dominant."