Folkestone’s much-loved late Mascot Ari the Great Dane would be delighted to know that his former ‘assistant’ Summer has taken over the role that he filled with such distinction for quite some time until he passed away last season.

Proud owner Sharon Curd has provided us with this lovely ‘profile’ of the lovely Summer who may even have been born for the job.

Though not Ari’s daughter she appears to have many of the characteristics that made ‘the old boy’ a favourite with fans on the non-league circuit, but we’ll let Sharon introduce this lovely young lady.

“Summer comes from a very successful line of show dogs.

“She actually came from Worthing, just around the corner from Worthing’s ground and their manager lives (or lived) above where she was born.

“My son Lee and l went to pick Summer and her litter sister Poppy up when they were eight- weeks old on Sat 30th September 2017 on the day  we were at home to Aylesbury United in the FA Cup.

“We literally picked the pups up late morning with Ari and drove straight to the match – making it with just minutes to spare before kick-off!

“So both Summer and Poppy’s first experience outside the kennels was Folkestone Invicta FC!

“The girls hadn’t even seen their own home at that time!

“They spent the whole match on our laps (as they were too young to go on the floor) and clearly loved watching the players with the ball going back and forth up the pitch and also loved meeting all the fans.

“Summer loves playing football whereas Ari wasn’t at all bothered.

“Summer isn’t related to Ari but I swear he parted this world instilling some of his characteristics in his successor.

“She has a very wise old soul for such a young pup.

“She is gentle, kind, loving and quiet, just as Harry was.

“And although she can be a little shy with some people, she is definitely improving.

“It took me a long time before I had the heart and strength to let Summer wear Ari’s shirt but now she wears the complete kit and looks stunning in it.

“Ari will be looking down with great pride.

“Summer and I try to make as many matches as we can but unfortunately it isn’t always possible due to me working nights but quite often you’ll see her sister Poppy standing in for her if Lee can make it to the match.

“The girls are now 13 months old now and still growing – Great Danes don’t stop growing until they are 18-24 months old.

“Summer is almost as tall as Ari was and I think she will be even taller than him. “

“Every time we go to a home match we always go and say hello to Ari’s memorial plaque on the wall behind the seats where Ari used to sit under the stand.

“There is also one behind the home goal.

“They were donated by our lovely chairman Paul Morgan in Ari’s honour and he also supplied Ari’s home and away kits.

“Paul is such a wonderful man and because of him Ari’s legend lives on and we hope Summer will follow in Ari’s paw prints for many years to come.”

There are more than 400 regular Invicta fans who will all say amen to that!”