Jersey get ready to defend Muratti Trophy tomorrow

Friday 13 May 2016

Excitement is building for tomorrow’s 100th anniversary Muratti football match between Jersey and Guernsey with grandstand tickets completely sold out.

Between 1,700 and 2,100 spectators are expected for the men’s match which will take place tomorrow at 3 pm, marketing and communications officer for Jersey Football Association Joe Smith said. Only standing room tickets are now available at a cost of £7.

Interest is high for this match which marks a century of play, especially after Jersey clinched an against-the-odds 3-2 away victory last year. The annual event – one of the most popular on the island’s sporting calendar - has run since 1905 only ever been interrupted by the two World Wars.

In addition to the men’s and women’s games, there will also be a gala dinner held tonight and a sponsors’ luncheon tomorrow – both are sold out, however.

There is also a Muratti exhibit in honour of the milestone match currently running at Jersey Museum.

Mr Smith admitted that Guernsey is entering the match as the favourite but “we are looking to upset the cards”, he said.

Jersey’s women’s squad is hoping to repeat their title-winning ways of last year, however.

The time of the women’s match had to be changed yesterday after Condor Ferries cancelled the inter-island Clipper service for Sunday. The match will now be played Sunday at 12.30 pm.

Condor has chartered a plane to ensure that the women’s squad will be able to return to Guernsey the same day, but as the cancellation will also affect Guernsey spectators, senior officials from the Guernsey Football Association and JFA took the decision to bring forward the kick-off.

“Whilst we acknowledge the efforts Condor have taken to ensure the Women’s playing squad can return to Guernsey on Sunday, we were conscious that this did not take into consideration the Guernsey supporters looking to attend the match,” said GFA chief executive Gary Roberts. “As such, the GFA approached the JFA with a request to change the kick-off time and we are delighted that the request has been accommodated, which will enable Guernsey’s supporters to watch the match.”

Mr Roberts said the cancellation is another example of the challenges which affect inter-Island sport.

“Flight and ferry timetabling, increasing costs and availability issues, are all impacting on not only football but every sport that has inter-island competitions,” he said. “Until such time as this matter is given the recognition and concern it both demands and deserves by the relevant senior political, sporting and travel representatives, the situation will only continue to deteriorate.”

“This is an important sporting event and we are keen to work with the GFA to ensure that the travel issues can be mitigated as best as possibly can be,” added JFA chief executive Neville Davidson. “It is disappointing that once again, one of the biggest annual inter-Island sporting weekends, has been disrupted as a result of travel matters that are beyond the JFA and GFA’s control.’