Darren Molloy, earlier today, announced the twin signings of Lawrence Dallaglio and David Campese who will both play for Folkestone next season. They are both rugby legends and will be Folkestone’s first professional players. We, here at Web Towers, understand that millionaire local businessman, Paul Williamson is sponsoring both salaries each thought to be in the region of £2000 a week.
Speaking of the signings Molloy said that there will be other major signings in the near future. This marks the start of Folkestone’s attempt to firstly break into National League rugby and then onto the Premiership. Molloy’s plan is for Folkestone to participate in the Premiership within 8 years and Heineken Cup rugby within 10 years. The club will move to a new purpose-built stadium on the land currently used by Folkestone Invicta FC on Cheriton Road in 2020. The first part of this ambitious campaign will see Folkestone sign several major players and I understand that Mike Tindall is very close to signing a contract which will see him in Folkestone Green next season. He and his wife, Zara, have been house hunting in Lyminge and Sandgate. Consequently from the start of the 2012/2013 season Folkestone will be charging admission for all their home games. Admission prices are to be confirmed but we understand they will be about £10 per match while club memberships will rise to about £500 per season but that will include a season ticket to attend all home matches seated in a new Members’ Stand which will hold 2000 supporters and has been given planning permission from the local council.
Club chairman, Andy Dagger said, “it’s time to take our chance. Paul Williamson has broken into our 1st XV squad this season and he’s seen the potential in our young players and he wanted to do something to develop these lads. He is very generously paying a large sum of money to get this project started but we need to make it self-financing as soon as possible, hence the admission costs.”
Obviously with Molloy’s Wasps background he also hopes that players such as Phil Vickery, Joe Worsley and Josh Lewsey will be tempted out of retirement to join in what he sees as the “Folkestone Revolution”.
Dallaglio said that he is “over the moon” to join the Stones. “Leigh Fitchie always told me what a great club it was when he joined the Wasps Academy and told me all about the characters down there. I feel that I already know the likes of Danny Barnes, Moose Murray and Bob Jones.”
Dallaglio and Campese should make their debuts for the club at the Spitfire Tournament on 26 August.
Tickets, priced at £25, for that event will go on sale on Saturday 28 April. Because of the new status of Folkestone premiership clubs, London Irish, Northampton and Leicester Tigers will be taking part in the tournament. Sky TV are showing the event live on Sky Sports 1HD and also on Sky 3D.