Jersey Bulls F.C.

Last updated

Jersey Bulls
Jersey Bulls Logo Red - White BG.svg
Full nameJersey Bulls Football Club
Nickname(s)The Bulls
Founded7 August 2018 [1]
Ground Springfield Stadium, Saint Helier
Capacity2,000 (982 seated) [2] [3]
ChairmanRussell Le Feuvre
ManagerElliot Powell
League Combined Counties League Premier Division South
2023–24 Combined Counties League Premier Division South, 2nd of 20
Website https://bulls.je/

Jersey Bulls Football Club is a football club located in Saint Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands. They are currently members of the Combined Counties League Premier Division South and play at Springfield Stadium.

Contents

History

English Channel location map.svg
Location of Jersey

The Jersey Football Combination, operated by the Jersey Football Association, has been the top level of football in the island of Jersey since 1975 and operates with 13 teams in two leagues, Premiership and Championship. Although affiliated with The Football Association, the league does not form part of the English football league system with teams unable to progress from the Jersey Football Combination or enter any cups, unless invited. The league leaders from Jersey would play the league leaders from the Guernsey Priaulx League in the Upton Park Trophy.

In 2015 the Jersey Football Association applied to UEFA and FIFA to allow them to play other teams, in a similar arrangement to Gibraltar. This was rejected on the basis Jersey was not an independent country. [4] A Parishes of Jersey football team was formed and applied and accepted to ConIFA to play international matches with other teams not able to join UEFA and FIFA. [5]

Jersey Bulls Football Club was formed on 7 August 2018, and in September it was announced that the club would apply to join the English football league system, [6] via The Football Association. In November 2018, The Football Association approved the club's bid to join Division One of the Combined Counties League for the 2019–20 season. [7]

Former Muratti Vase winner Gary Freeman was appointed as the club's first manager in January 2019. Freeman was manager at St Peter from February 2015 and took on the Jersey Bulls role from the end of the 2018–19 season. [8]

The first eight fixtures of the league were announced by the Combined Counties Football League on 5 June to allow clubs preparation in booking transport to or from Jersey, with Ash United being the first team to visit Jersey and Deportivo Galicia being the first away fixture. [9]

Jersey Bulls announced on 13 June 2019 that they had signed 30 players at the beginning of the season with all players dual registered with their current clubs in Jersey. [10]

Abandoned 2019–20 season

The 2019–20 season started with two friendly games, the first with League Two side Stevenage on 6 July which was won by Stevenage 3–4, [11] followed by Leicester City Under-23's on 16 July won by Leicester 3–0. [12]

Their 2019–20 league campaign in the Combined Counties League Division One began with a 3–0 win over Ash United. [13] By 16 November they had 15 straight victories in all competitions. [14] Their 16th victory came on 23 November in a 7–0 victory, [15] and after their 19th victory on 16 December they were 24 points clear at the top of the table. [16] They ended 2019 with their 20th straight victory, despite their flight being delayed by two hours and the coach being delayed in traffic and running onto the pitch straight from the coach, they beat Farnham Town 2–0 [17] and began 2020 with another victory, their 21st straight win. [18]

On 7 March 2020, Forward Lorne Bickley signed a short-term contract with National League side Hartlepool United. [19] The next day Jersey Bulls set a new record in the Combined Counties League on 27 consecutive wins, beating Withdean 2000's record which was set during the 2002–03 season. [20] With 81 points on the table, they were statistically eligible for promotion to step 5 football. [21] A few days later, most sporting leagues in the United Kingdom were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was later confirmed that the Combined Counties League had been abandoned with all results null and voided. [22] On 30 March 2020, Jersey Bulls were one of sixty-six non-league clubs who sent an open letter to the Football Association requesting that they reconsider their decision. [23] The request within this letter was denied and Jersey Bulls would return to Division One for the 202021 season.

2020–21 season

On 5 September, Jersey Bulls began their second season in Division One away to Bedford & Feltham with a 4–1 victory. [24] The Bulls would subsequently defeat British Airways 2–0, Fleet Spurs 1-0 and Ash United 3–2, all away from home. Jersey Bulls are again unbeaten in Division One as of 1 January 2021, extending their unbeaten run to 31 games under inaugural manager Gary Freeman. In March the Football Association announced that the 2020–21 season at Step 3 to step 7 would be curtailed, prematurely ending Jersey Bulls' second season in Division One again. [25] However, the FA later confirmed that the planned restructuring of the National League System would take place as planned, with teams allowed to apply for promotion. [26]

Colours and badge

In September 2018, the club announced their logo and kit, [27] stating:

"Our logo and proposed home kit, reflects our proud Jersey roots and the island's dairy heritage. Jersey may be most famous for its cows, but they'd be nowhere without the bulls. The bull is animated to show our passion for football, passion for Jersey and its community, and our desire to make this football club succeed. The kit and logo is red and white, obvious Jersey colours, and also includes a nod to the Jersey flag."

The home kit is a white shirt with a red cross, resembling the Flag of Jersey, with red shorts and socks, whilst the away kit is a red shirt with white shorts and socks. In April 2020, The Bulls launched a competition to choose the third kit and the winning designed was announced on 1 May 2020 on their social media as a dark blue shirt with pink trim, based on the colours of their second biggest sponsor, Butterfield Bank.

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

PeriodKit supplierShirt sponsor
2019–2020 Kappa CPA Global [28]
2021–2022SHUFL Capital [29]
2023–PresentJTC Group [30]
Jersey Bulls at Springfield Stadium Jersey Bulls at Springfield Stadium.jpg
Jersey Bulls at Springfield Stadium

Stadium

The club play at Springfield Stadium in St. Helier. Although situated in St. Helier, the stadium is about one mile from the town centre.

First used by the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society (RJA&HS) as a showground in 1885 for agricultural shows and was first used for the Muratti Vase in 1905 and has been held regularly since the 1930s, with a few exceptions. The RJA&HS proposed a sale in 1993 for housing development but it was bought by the Sport, Leisure and Recreation Committee of the States Assembly who stepped in to preserve it for sports and purchased the site in December 1994.

The capacity of the stadium holds up to 7,000 spectators and the grandstand, built in 1997, has seating for 992.

The stadium and the multi-purpose sports facility attached to it is owned by the Government of Jersey, and is also home to the Jersey Football Association and the Jersey official football team. A children's play area and an all-weather ball court was also built within the park.

Club officials

Source: [31]

Boardroom staff

PositionName
Chairman Flag of England.svg Russell Le Feuvre
Secretary Flag of England.svg John Treleven
CEO Flag of England.svg Ian Horswell

First-team coaching staff

PositionName
Manager Flag of England.svg Elliot Powell
Assistant Manager Flag of England.svg
First Team Coach Flag of England.svg
Fitness Coach Flag of England.svg
Goalkeeping Coach Flag of England.svg
Physio Flag of England.svg
Nutritionist Flag of England.svg
Analyst Flag of England.svg

Management history

Stats as of 28 May 2024, league games only

NameFromToDurationGamesWonDrawnLostWin %HonorsNotes
Flag of England.svg Gary Freeman1 June 20196 May 20244 years, 340 days1451022617070.34 [8]
Flag of England.svg Ellot Powell28 May 2024Present188 days0000! [32]

Records

Cup runs

Goals

Attendance

Player

Most Competitive Hat-tricks
Number of Hat-tricksPlayer NameOpposition(s)
3Sol Solomon Chessington & Hook United [37]

Horsham YMCA F.C. [38]

Crowborough Athletic F.C. [39]

1Karl Hinds FC Deportivo Galicia [36]
1Lorne Bickley Horsham YMCA F.C. [38]
RankPlayer NameGoalsPosition
1Sol Solomon60FWD
2Lorne Bickley33FWD
3Fraser Barlow32FWD
4Luke Campbell25DEF
5Karl Hinds19FWD
6Kieran Lester15MID
Jonny Le Quesne15DEF
8Daryl Wilson13FWD
9Harry Cardwell12FWD
10Jake Prince11FWD

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tranmere Rovers F.C.</span> Association football club based in Birkenhead, England

Tranmere Rovers Football Club is a professional association football club based in Birkenhead, Merseyside, England. The team competes in EFL League Two, the fourth level of the English football league system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aldershot Town F.C.</span> Association football club in Aldershot, England

Aldershot Town Football Club is a professional association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England. The team competes in the National League, the fifth level of the English football league system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bolton Wanderers F.C.</span> Association football club in Bolton, England

Bolton Wanderers Football Club is a professional football club based in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England, which competes in League One, the third level of the English football league system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leicester City F.C.</span> Association football club in Leicester, England

Leicester City Football Club is a professional football club based in the city of Leicester, East Midlands, England. The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football, following promotion from the 2023–24 EFL Championship as league champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bury F.C.</span> Association football club in Bury, Greater Manchester

Bury Football Club is an English association football club based in Bury, Greater Manchester, which plays in the Premier Division of the North West Counties League, the ninth tier of the English football pyramid, following a 2023 merger with phoenix club Bury A.F.C.. Before expulsion from the English Football League, Bury F.C. had played in EFL League Two, the fourth tier of the English football pyramid, in the 2018–19 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morecambe F.C.</span> Association football club in Morecambe, England

Morecambe Football Club is a professional association football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire, England. The team competes in EFL League Two, the fourth level of the English football league system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stevenage F.C.</span> Association football club in Stevenage, England

Stevenage Football Club is a professional association football club based in the town of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England. The club competes in EFL League One, the third level of the English football league system. They play their home games at Broadhall Way in Stevenage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portsmouth F.C.</span> Association football club in the south of England

Portsmouth Football Club is a professional association football club based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. The team is currently competing in the EFL Championship, the second level of the English football league system in the 2024–25 season after winning the 2023–24 EFL League One title. Portsmouth are nicknamed Pompey, a local nickname used by both His Majesty's Naval Base, Portsmouth and the city of Portsmouth. The club adopted blue shirts in 1912 and have mostly used a combination of white shorts and red socks since 1946.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horsham F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Horsham Football Club is a non-League football club based in Horsham, West Sussex, England, currently playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chertsey Town F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Chertsey Town Football Club is a semi-professional football club based in Chertsey, Surrey, England. The club currently competes in the Southern Football League Premier Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salford City F.C.</span> Football club in Greater Manchester, England

Salford City Football Club is a professional association football club in Salford, Greater Manchester, England. The club competes in League Two, the fourth level of the English football league system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AFC Fylde</span> Association football club in Wesham, England

AFC Fylde is a professional football club based in Wesham in the Borough of Fylde, Lancashire, England. They are currently members of the National League and play at Mill Farm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FC Halifax Town</span> Association football club in Halifax, England

FC Halifax Town is a professional association football club based in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. They currently compete in the National League, the fifth level of English football league system, as of the 2023–24 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chester F.C.</span> English association football club

Chester Football Club is an association football club based in Chester, England. They are currently members of the National League North, the sixth tier of English football, and play at the Deva Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Edgar</span> English footballer

Anthony James Edgar is an English footballer who plays as a winger for Ashford United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Vincenti</span> Jèrriais footballer (born 1986)

Peter Ian Vincenti is a Jèrriais professional footballer who plays for Jersey Football Combination club St. Peter. He primarily plays as a winger, although he has also been deployed in attacking midfield, and as a forward. Vincenti is the vice-chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hereford F.C.</span> Association football club in Herefordshire, England

Hereford Football Club is an English association football club from the city of Hereford. They were founded in 2014 as a phoenix club for Hereford United, and inherited their Edgar Street stadium. They are nicknamed 'The Whites' after their predominantly white kit, or 'The Bulls' after the Hereford cattle breed, and their motto is 'Our greatest glory lies not in never having fallen, but in rising when we fall'. The club is affiliated to the Herefordshire County Football Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hashtag United F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Hashtag United Football Club is a semi-professional football club based in Essex, England. They are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division and play at Parkside, Aveley.

The 2020–21 Southern Combination Football League season was the 96th in the history of the competition, which lies at levels 9 and 10 of the English football league system. This season also marked 100 years since the league was first formed, with Eastbourne Town, Newhaven and Shoreham being the only teams still in the league to have played in the first season.

The 2021–22 Southern Combination Football League season was the 97th in the history of the competition, which lies at levels 9 and 10 of the English football league system.

References

  1. "Entity Detail". JFSC Companies Registry. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  2. "Springfield | Active.je". www.active.je. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  3. Jersey, States of. "Government of Jersey". gov.je. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  4. "Jersey's bid for UEFA membership rejected". Jersey Evening Post. 26 February 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  5. "'Parishes of Jersey' accepted into Conifa". ITV News. 11 September 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  6. "Jersey Bulls: Newly-formed island side hope to join English football pyramid". BBC Sport. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  7. "Jersey Bulls get FA approval for Combined Counties League bid". BBC Sport. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  8. 1 2 Fox, Jason (24 January 2019). "Freeman: 'No limits' to Bulls ambition". Jersey Evening Post. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  9. "Opening Fixtures For Jersey Bulls". 13 June 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  10. "Jersey Bulls sign-up 30 players ahead of debut season". ITV News. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  11. "Jersey Bulls 3:4 Stevenage". Jersey Bulls. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  12. "Jersey Bulls 0:3 Leicester City U23". Jersey Bulls. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  13. "Jersey Bulls: New side aim for promotion after first-ever win in English league". BBC Sport. 5 August 2019.
  14. "Jersey Bulls beat Epsom and Ewell to register 15th-straight league win". BBC Sport. 16 November 2019.
  15. "Jersey Bulls beat Cove 7-0 to record 16th successive league victory". BBC Sport. 23 November 2019.
  16. "Jersey Bulls 'ride storm' to record 19th-straight league win". BBC Sport. 16 December 2019.
  17. "Jersey Bulls: 20th win for islanders despite running to pitch from bus after travel delays". BBC Sport. 30 December 2019.
  18. "Jersey Bulls beat Cove 1-0 to win 21st successive league game". BBC Sport. 4 January 2020.
  19. "Lorne Bickley: Hartlepool sign Jersey Bulls striker". BBC Sport. 7 March 2020.
  20. "Jersey Bulls set new Combined Counties League record after British Airways win". BBC Sport. 8 March 2020.
  21. "Jersey Bulls' promotion statistically confirmed". 9 March 2020 via www.bbc.co.uk.
  22. "Coronavirus: All football below National League to end". BBC Sport. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  23. "Sixty-six non-league clubs send open letter to FA over expunging season". BBC Sport. 30 March 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  24. "Bedfont & Feltham 1 – 4 Jersey Bulls – The Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Football League". combinedcounties.pitchero.com. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020.
  25. Metcalfe, Neil (25 February 2021). "Non-league season to end from step three down". Hampstead Highgate Express.
  26. "Restructure to go ahead – The Cherry Red Records Combined Counties Football League". combinedcounties.pitchero.com. 12 April 2021.
  27. "Jersey Bulls FC". Jersey Bulls Facebook. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  28. "Jersey Bulls FC unveils CPA Global as inaugural sponsor". CPA Global. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  29. "Bulls announce SHUFL Capital as platinum sponsor". Bulls.je. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  30. "Jersey Bulls Strike New Headline Kit Sponsor". Jersey Bulls FC. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  31. "Jersey Bulls About". Jersey Bulls F.C. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  32. "Jersey Bulls announce new manager". 28 May 2024 via www.bulls.je.
  33. 1 2 "10-1 Horsham YMCA". 7 August 2021.
  34. "1-3 Balham FC". 30 March 2022.
  35. "Jersey Bulls 3-1 Fleet Spurs". FA Full Time -CRRCCL. 11 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  36. 1 2 "FC Deportivo Galicia 0-6 Jersey Bulls". FA Full Time CRRCCL. 14 August 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  37. 1 2 "Jersey Bulls 0-6 Chessington & Hook United". FA Full Time CRRCCL. 1 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  38. 1 2 3 4 "Aug 7, Jersey Bulls 10 Horsham YMCA 1 | The Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round". fulltime.thefa.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  39. 1 2 "Sep 26, Jersey Bulls 5 Crowborough Athletic 0 | The Buildbase FA Vase Second Round Qualifying". fulltime.thefa.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021.