Folkestone Invicta are going "full throttle" for automatic promotion this season.

The club have increased their playing budget - facilitated by a wage cut for manager Neil Cugley - and they're desperate to end four years of play-off heartache.

Having paid off their CVA, Folkestone go into the season debt-free and with their ground meeting the grading standard for promotion to the Ryman League Premier Division.

Summer signings Josh Stanford, Carl Rook and Phil Starkey have added further quality to a squad which finished second in Division 1 South last season with 98 points.

Invicta chairman Jim Pellatt said: "Can we win it this season? Yes we can.

"Will we win it? Well that is for us to find out, and depends on other teams who may splash the cash, our key players staying injury-free, and many other factors.

"Only two things are certain. We will be going full throttle for it, with everyone on and off the field working their socks off, and there is going to be plenty of excitement at the Fullicks Stadium this coming season."

Folkestone have spent 50% more than usual to improve their pitch over the summer.

Mr Pellatt continued: "On the playing side, we have stuck to the plan outlined over a year ago, to clear all debt, exit the CVA, and make essential ground improvements to obtain our C grading.

"We fell a little bit short on the tarmacing due to an unexpected overrun on costs but we will finish that off as soon as we can and then turn to concentrating on the playing side.

"It was as important to ensure we kept our existing squad together, and secured their signatures, as it was signing new players.

"Ian Draycott and Liam Friend both attracted interest from elsewhere, and I am sure all our players would have walked into other clubs had they become available.

"But Neil identified the players he wanted to bring in immediately the season finished, and had them signed up before anyone else could get a look-in!

"This will be the first season in many years that we have a squad where any one player could command a first team place.

"With Richard Atkins and Micheal Everitt going for reasons outside our control, it has been about improving the quality of the squad rather than signing loads of players to see how they work out.

"That has meant a small increase in the playing budget, but under no circumstances are we going to spend money we can't afford, or chance our arm by throwing money we’ve not got at potential cup runs.

"That doesn’t mean, though, that we won’t be hoping to get through a few rounds – especially in the FA Cup and the Trophy.

"Neil has assembled a strong squad that we are confident can give us a successful season.

"But just how successful doesn't just depend on us.

"Many of you will have noticed that the odds on at least one club winning our league have shortened considerably as news has filtered through to the betting fraternity that they are setting out to have a real go.

"There will be others and there is usually one surprise team that seems to come from nowhere."

Folkestone start their season at home to newly-promoted Molesey on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.