New Folkestone Invicta defender Dan Quick setting sights high at Cheriton Road this season

Defender Dan Quick is setting his sights high at Folkestone Invicta this season - and thinks there is even more to come from the new-look team.

Quick was among several of manager Jay Saunders’ summer signings ahead of an inaugural National League South season.

The 23-year-old has signed for Folkestone from Eastbourne Borough, themselves relegated from Step 2 last time out.

While it has been a solid start to life at a higher division for Invicta, Quick said: “There’s definitely more to come.

“If we take away the mistakes for the goals we have conceded - they haven’t been great - we could have come away with more points. It’s a shame.

“But you can only take the positives in terms of how well we have done in each game.”

Folkestone followed up an opening-day 5-1 home win over Walton & Hersham with draws against Maidstone United and Chelmsford City.

There is nothing to fear, according to Quick, who reckons a top-seven finish could be in their reach.

He said: “You only have to look at how well we have done so far and the teams we have played - Maidstone and Chelmsford - they’re really good teams in this league.

“We have gone toe-to-toe with them and could have beaten them both, and come away with six points. The ambition is to aim high.

“Play-offs, I can definitely see us, potentially, making them.”

It has already been a busy start to life at Cheriton Road for Quick, who came through Crystal Palace’s academy.

“Since I’ve come in here, I have been quite versatile and already played in quite a few positions,” he revealed. “I just have that experience of the league.

"I can do a bit of everything, really.”

Among Quick’s skill-set is a long throw that has already borne fruit.

While he is yet to play much competitive action alongside fellow defender Liam Smith, he is happy to share those responsibilities with another long-throw merchant.

He said: “When he plays, he can do it on his side and I’ll do it on my side.

“They have been quite effective so far.

"If it’s something that helps the team, we can do them and, maybe, gets some goals.”

Quick, who has also turned out for Welling United, Dorking and Billericay, has quickly built-up a good rapport with manager Saunders.

“He’s brilliant,” he said. “I have a lot of time for what he has to say and I appreciate him bringing me in.

“I’ve really enjoyed it - and I can’t wait to carry on for the rest of the season.”

Folkestone have already taken four of the five points they have gained on home soil.

And Quick is confident it’s a ground they can make a fortress, with Bank Holiday Monday’s encounter against Hemel Hempstead being sandwiched by this weekend’s journey to Slough and a journey to Torquay next weekend.

Quick said: “We can make this place a fortress.

“The aim has got to be that no one comes here and gets any easy points.

“The fans are brilliant. We want to go out there, put in a good performance for them every week, and get the win if we can.

“It all helps.”