Kettering Town football club, which is currently in the National League North and owned by Ritchie Jeune, will be visiting the island for a pre-season friendly in July.

The team also has another Jersey connection, as it was once managed by Geoff Vowden, the uncle of the current JFA Chairman Bradley Vowden. 

“We are delighted to be able to secure this fixture and visit the island of Jersey,” Mr Jeune said. “We hope that the advanced notice of this fixture will enable as many supporters as possible to take up the opportunity to travel to the island in July.”

Kettering will be given an allocation of 120 tickets in the main stand for the match which will take place at Springfield Stadium on Saturday 18 July at 15:00. 

“What an challenge for everyone involved with the Bulls, for a new club to get the opportunity to test ourselves against a team such as Kettering Town is fantastic, Kettering have a rich history in non-league football and I’m sure our supporters will be excited to see how we fare against this level of opposition,” Jersey Bulls Manager Gary Freeman said.

“I also hope the supporters of Kettering Town fancy a nice away trip and help to create a fantastic atmosphere at Springfield”.

The team is also a favourite of Kettering-born comedian James Acaster, who visited Jersey as part of his tour last year, leading some islanders to joke that he might attend.

The Bulls are currently in their first season in Combined Counties League Division 1.

They have had an exemplary run winning every competitive match they have played so far and are currently top of the table with a 23-point lead on Farnham Town.

Following their winning streak, the Bulls have now set their sights on the Football League, an ambition that earned them a spot on a national sports broadcaster’s ‘Soccer Saturday’ TV show in December. 

Today, they will be playing against British Airways at Springfield Stadium at 15:00.

In a Facebook post, the club said the match could mark an “historic day” for them. 

“If results go our way, we could be promoted this Saturday – along with claiming the Combined Counties record with a win!”