Bulls storm ahead to join UK regional football league

Sunday 06 January 2019

A new island football team is charging towards its goal of entering the English football pyramid, having been unanimously approved to join the Combined Counties League by its management committee.

To confirm their application, the newly formed Jersey Bulls FC will now have to be approved by the Football Association and complete some minor ground improvements before the end of 2019.

It is now in the hands of the FA Leagues Committee to allow the Bulls to enter the National League System at Step 6 and to direct them into the CCL.

The Bulls shared the news on their Facebook page saying: "The Management Committee of the Combined Counties League have approved our application. It is now for the FA Leagues Committee to agree that the club should be allowed to enter the National League System at Step 6, due to the special circumstances and, of course, to direct the club into the CCL.

"We are confident this will happen and look forward to confirming in the New Year when we'll also have more news on the appointment of a manager."

The Jersey Bulls were launched in September by former Muratti player and Les Quennevais PE teacher Russell Le Feuvre, in a bid to nurture the skills of local elite players while developing young talent.

Ian Horswell, the Club's Commercial Director, commented in December: "This is the first time any team in Jersey has entered the UK football league pyramid. It's very exciting. We have other sports in the UK league, such as rugby and netball, but for what is arguably the most popular played sport in the world, this is quite big."

Pictured: Ian Horswell and Jean-Luc Desbois, the Jersey Football Association CEO.

Having designed kits and a mascot, which islanders will soon be invited to name as part of a competition, the club is currently looking for a manager. "We're looking for a football manager to lead the Club into the English league for the 2019/2020 season and beyond," the Club wrote on Facebook. "This exciting position will officially commence in June 2019."

When playing in the UK next year, the Bulls would be flying into Gatwick. As for games played in the island, there will be an arrangement similar to the one put in place with Guernsey FC - whereby the visiting club would be flown out and back at Jersey’s expense with a night in a hotel as required.  

A League spokesman said: “It is an exciting development for the League and its clubs, as well as for Jersey Bulls. When Guernsey came in it was very much a step in the dark. It went well though and we now have that experience which should serve us in good stead if it all comes to fruition which certainly looks likely, especially as the Bulls have the support, not only of the Jersey Government but also the local Jersey League and the Jersey Football Association.”