"Winning 100th Muratti would be as good as taking Villa to Wembley"

Thursday 28 January 2016

The new manager of Jersey's senior side has said that victory over Guernsey in May would rank up there with lifting the League Cup, which he did with Aston Villa in 1996.

Brian Little, one of the most experienced managers in English football, has taken over the running of Jersey's top team from Jimmy Reilly, who resigned at the beginning of January after 15 months in charge.

Little, who will remain the JFA's director of football, will manage the senior side at least until the centenary match. Although based in England, he will fly to the Island most Wednesdays to lead training.

"It goes without saying that I am fully aware of the deep rivalry between Jersey and Guernsey," he said. "That's why, for me, I might have taken Aston Villa to a cup final, I might have taken Leicester into the Premier League, I might have won two championships with Darlington but I am going to be in charge for the 100th Muratti, which is every bit as important. If Jersey can retain the Vase, it will be among my finest achievements."

The 62-year-old said he wanted to bring some professional standards to the amateur side, including imbuing the 'D-word' - discipline - among players. "Discipline is not something to be feared," he said. "It is simply making sure that systems are followed and everyone plays as a team. Just being organised is being disciplined.

"I've seen Jersey play on a number of occasions, including at last year's Island Games, so I know there is a lot of talent there. With my background - 860 games as a manager, unbeaten in 72.1% of them - I'm sure the players can reach their full potential. I will put down a strong platform which could lead to some high level games if the JFA is granted UEFA status."

And what of his old club's current predicament at the bottom of the Premier League?

"I am a Villa fan so I just hope they stay up and I won't say any more than that. I joined Aston Villa in 1969 when, for the first time in their history, they were relegated to the third tier of football. Twelve years later they won the European Cup. So I know there is a road back and, if it didn't work out for Rémi [Garde], I would be encouraging him and his staff to believe that there is a route back. If they do drop, they will return stronger."