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THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN FC | SEASON 2025|26 | ISSUE NO 10 | FREE

ISTHMIAN LEAGUE | SOUTH EAST DIVISION SATURDAY 27 DECEMBER 2025 | KICK OFF: 1PM

VS JERSEY BULLS ISTHMIAN LEAGUE | SOUTH EAST DIVISION SATURDAY 27 DECEMBER 2025 | KICK OFF 1PM

Club Management: Chair & Treasurer:

Richard Tramontin

Secretary & Vice chair: Brian McCorquodale Senior Football Officer: Steve Norris

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN FC The Vistavis Community Stadium College Lane | East Grinstead | RH19 3LS Tel: 01342 325885

BUZZ FROM THE NEST Good afternoon and a belated Happy Christmas to all, and a special welcome to Jersey Bulls who are making their first visit to East Grinstead today. Well, let's not pretend that 2025 has been anything but hugely disappointing. Today we're attempting to win only our eighth game of the year... a ninth looked on the cards at the Saffrons last Saturday when we had a perfectly good goal which would have made it 2-1 to us with eight minutes to go ruled out. And if you don't believe me... I've seen the written apology from the ref. Having said that, to concede three goals in the remaining minutes was, to put it mildly, very disappointing from us. With the quality of player we now have surely that elusive win will come soon and give us something to build on. With that in mind, we wish all our supporters a prosperous 2026 and trust our fortunes on the pitch will improve.

Head of Recruitment:

Matt Wheeler

Commercial Manager:

Steve Norris

Club Welfare Officer:

Brian McCorquodale

Disability Welfare Officer:

Stuart Gibson

Safety & Facilities Officer:

Barry Bryant

Bar Manager:

Stuart Gibson

Press Officer:

Bruce Talbot

ED&I Officer:

Andy Dodson

Football Management Manager:

Drew Cooney

Assistant Manager and Ian Nicholls Team Coach: Assistant Team Coach: Steve Sargent, Matt

Wheeler Physiotherapist:

Kate Moss

Kit manager:

Adam Robinson

Disability Team Manager:

Ant Bowler

Youth Coordinator & Development:

Jay De Vito

Under-18 Managers:

Lewis McDonnell & Kevin Wright

Under-16 Amber Manager:

Lewis McDonnell

OWNERSHIP STATEMENT

Under-16 Black Manager:

Nigel Leach

In accordance with the Football Association's Rule 2.13 (publication of ownership) in relation to Step 1 to Step 6 Clubs within the National League System East Grinstead Town FC is an unincorporated association / members club and a Community Amateur Sports Club (reg no CASC 02270).

Under-14 Manager:

Sean Clarabut

Under-12 Amber Manager:

Ted Symes

Under 12 Black Manager:

Tom Butcher

Under 11 Manager:

Ben Payne

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN F.C. VS JERSEY BULLS

FROM THE

Dugout SQUAD NOW IN PLACE - TIME TO MAKE IT COUNT On behalf of everyone at East Grinstead Town, we'd like to wish you a Merry Christmas, and we hope to give you an extra present today: three points. I want to extend a warm welcome to you all for today's game against Jersey Bulls. We also extend our greetings to the players, staff, and fans of Jersey Bulls who have travelled a long way to join us at the Vistavis Community Stadium. Although we are classified as a local derby, we are the nearest team to Gatwick Airport, along with Three Bridges. After a challenging start, which we all knew would be the case, we are starting to take shape with a squad that we know can win points and games. We have only one player remaining from the previous regime, Omar Folkes, to whom we have committed to a significant role. This total squad rebuild has taken longer than expected, and the management team has worked extremely hard behind the scenes to get the right players in for a relegation battle. We have targeted players with the right quality, skill set, and, first on our list, the mentality and willingness to fight for every ball and every game. We need fighters and players who will die for the cause. We saw v Herne Bay exactly that, and all I will say about Eastbourne is... We are happy to announce the return of Louie Theopanous, which was the worst-kept secret. I don't need to introduce him to any of you ... his goalscoring record speaks for itself. At the other end of the pitch, we would also like to welcome goalkeeper Ali Secka to the club. Ali joins us from Raynes Park Vale and made his debut last Saturday. Both are significant additions to the squad and of high quality, as proven in the league. Again, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone involved at the club. All the squad asks is that you get behind us and show your tremendous support as you always have. There are still 20 games left, so 60 points are at stake. We are just over halfway through the season. Christmas is a time for miracles, so let's believe. Enjoy the match, up the Grin! Grant and Andy.

Grant & Andy

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN F.C. VS JERSEY BULLS

LEAGUE

STANDINGS

ISTHMIAN LEAGUE - SOUTH EAST DIVISION TEAM

PTS

Three Bridges

AFC Croydon Athletic

AFC Whyteleafe

Faversham Town

Sittingbourne

Merstham

7 11

Herne Bay Jersey Bulls

23 22

11 9

5 8

7 5

41 35

36 25

5 10

38 35

Margate

10 Sheppey United

-5

12 Deal Town

13 Hastings United

-3

14 Crowborough Athletic

-13

-21

16 Ashford United

-20

Broadbridge Heath

Eastbourne Town Sevenoaks Town

18 Hassocks

-11

19 Erith Town

-12

20 VCD Athletic

-23

21 Beckenham Town

-25

22 East Grinstead Town

-55

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN F.C. VS JERSEY BULLS

FIXTURES & RESULTS

Date

H/A Opponents

Venue

K/O / Score

Att Scorers

AUGUST Sat 2 Aug Sat 9 Aug Tues 12 Aug Sat 23 Aug Mon 25 Aug Sat 30 Aug

H A H A H H

Eastbourne United Whyteleafe Three Bridges Sittingbourne Sevenoaks Town Eastbourne Town

FA Cup EP Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East

1-4 0-5 1-4 1-2 0-2 1-2

195 321 190 262 219 192

Rawlins

H H H A A

Binfield Hassocks VCD Athletic Hassocks Broadbridge Heath

FA Trophy 1st Q Isthmian South East FA Trophy 1st rd Isthmian South East Velocity Trophy

3-3 (4-2 0-3 1-2 1-0 2-4

142 134 133 302 91

Wooster, Saniel, Laws

A H H H A A H

Beckenham Town Haywards Heath Town Crowborough Athletic Ashford United Faversham Sheppey United Deal Town

Isthmian South East Sussex Senior Cup 2 Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East

0-4 0-5 3-4 0-6 1-2 0-2 1-2

218 135 241 181 401 Nouble 335 147 Faber

H A A A H A

Hastings United Broadbridge Heath VCD Athletic Three Bridges Merstham Margate

Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East

1-4 0-5 0-3 0-5 2-4 1-5

195 Pamment 102 74 189 241 Own goal, Folkes 352 Lawson

A H A H

AFC Croydon Athletic Herne Bay Eastbourne Town Jersey Bulls

Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East

1-2 1-1 1-4 3pm

135 Perry 128 Perry 238 Lawson

A H H H A

Sevenoaks Town AFC Whyteleafe Erith Town Broadbridge Heath Crowborough Athletic

Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East

3pm 7.30pm 3pm 3pm 3pm

A A H A

Deal Town Ashford United Sheppey United Hastings United

Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East

3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm

H A H A

VCD Athletic Herne Bay AFC Croydon Athletic Erith Town

Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East

3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm

H A H A H

Sittingbourne Jersey Bulls Faversham Merstham Margate

Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East Isthmian South East

3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm

Daniel Rawlins Rawlins

SEPTEMBER Sat 6 Sep Sat 13 Sep Sat 20 Sep Sat 27 Sep Tue 30 Sep

Rawlins Daniel Folkes, Rawlins

OCTOBER Sat 4 Oct Tue 7 Oct Sat 11 Oct Sat 18 Oct Tue 21 Oct Sat 25 Oct Tue 28 Oct

NOVEMBER Sat Nov 1 Tue Nov 4 Sat Nov 8 Tue 11 Nov Sat Nov 15 Sat Nov 22

DECEMBER Sat 6 Dec Sat 13 Dec Sat 20 Dec Sat 27 Dec

JANUARY Sat 3 Jan Tues 6 Jan Sat 10 Jan Sat 17 Jan Sat 24 Jan

FEBRUARY Sat 7 Feb Sat 14 Feb Sat 21 Feb Sat 28 Feb

MARCH Sat 7 Mar Sat 14 Mar Sat 21 Mar Sat 28 Mar

APRIL Sat 4 Apr Mon 6 Apr Sat 11 Apr Sat 18 Apr Sat 25 Apr

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN F.C. VS JERSEY BULLS

TEAM LINE UP EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN F.C. Daniel O'Donovan Kieron Pamment Ridwan Euba Dan Thompson Steve Smith Luke Leppard Curtis Gayler (C) Dominic Vose Dan Perry Jordan Maguire-Drew Camron Lawson Noe Vendrells Parcerisa Arron Hopkinson Omar Folkes Louis Theophanous Jhon Murillo-Castillo Tom Kavanagh Tariq Richards Tommy Seale

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JERSEY BULLS Pierce Roche Jonny Le Quesne James Queree (C) Luke Campbell Lorne Bickley Adam Trotter Jay Giles Luke Watson Stan Dunne James Sunley Francis Lekimamati James Carr Toby Ritzema Luke Coutanche Joe Kilshaw Miguel Carvalho

NEXT HOME MATCH

MATCH OFFICIALS:

AFC Whyteleafe

Referee: Tom Price Assistant Ref: Dylan Bailey Assistant Ref: John Pike

Tuesday 6 January 7.30pm

This matchday programme was created online: www.matchday-programmes.co.uk

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EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN

HISTORY PROGRAMMES FROM THE PAST BY LESTER MEDCALF I’m going to share with you a couple of programmes for games played in the past on the day or two after Christmas Day. We’ll start with East Grinstead v Redhill on 27 December 2004 in division one of the Sussex County League with an 11am kick-off. The programme’s club notes start with a reminder of our 2003/04 RUR Charity Cup success back in April. The trophy now “sits at home on the Lucozade fridge behind the bar”. We had now reached the semi-final of the 2004/05 competition having played the quarter final nine days ago away to Eastbourne Town. We had come back home with a 3-2 extra time win with goals from Dave Gellatly, Ben Burns and Adam Dart. However the team for the match against Redhill would show a number of changes from those who had played down in Eastbourne. A number of players would be away for Christmas - and there were also a number of injuries that might or might not be sorted out. The notes also remind us of a complaint we had made to the league about a referee’s decision in a recent match. We had been awarded a penalty, which the keeper had stopped. However our penalty taker (Dave Gellatly) was first to the rebound and put the ball into the net. But the referee didn’t allow it to count as a goal and incorrectly gave the opposition a free-kick. Fortunately we were 3-0 up and in the last minute or two of the game, so the incorrect decision made by the ref didn’t really matter. The programme does have a photo of the keeper making the penalty save. We also have an interesting article “A Grinstead Christmas” looking at past Christmas matches. For example who had we played most in the last 20 years? Answer was Lingfield and Crowborough each 3 times and Redhill twice. Looking further back to 1949 we had played Haywards Heath away on December 26 and lost 4-1. We played them at home five days later and had won 3-1. Of course home was not then East Court but was at West Street which we shared with East Grinstead Cricket Club. We had some postponements of course and one Christmas game that had been abandoned in 1959 after 56 minutes against APV Athletic. Time to talk about the visit of Redhill in 2004. The programme’s league table shows that we were in 14th place with Redhill five places higher. But we had had lots of snow in that December and the match had to be postponed. We eventually played it in the middle of February and Redhill went home with a 2-1 win, our goal coming from James Horner.

COUNTING CROWS Moving on a few years we have East Grinstead v Crowborough on Monday 26 December 2011 again in division one of the Sussex County League with kick-off at 11 am. The front cover of the programme shows two fully dressed Father Christmases, though I’m not sure who the pair are when they aren’t Father Christmas. Chairman Richard Tramontin and manager Simon Funnell both talk about our recent games which had seen us win four of our last five league matches - with three of those wins coming when we had one or two issues. The first of these had come away to Chichester where we had a player sent off after 25 minutes but still won 4-1 (Ben Chick with two goals and one each for Aaron Watson and Sam Rintoul). Then away to Worthing United we were 2-0 down at half-time but two goals from Aaron Watson and one each from Michael Death, Ben Burns, Sam Rintoul and Tony Reid saw us win 6-3. And on the Tuesday evening before Christmas we were away to Sidley United but had players missing because of Christmas activities. A number of our young players had to fill the gaps - with one or two playing in their first game for the first team - but we won 3-1 with two goals from Ben Chick and the third from Tony Reid. The programme also talks about recent games against Crowborough. A 3-1 home win in 2010, a couple of years after a 4-1 away win. The league table shows us in ninth place with Crowborough three places below us. The game saw a quiet first half but Simon Funnell’s half-time talk lifted our players. Ten minutes into the second half Aaron Watson headed us into the lead and some 15 minutes later Tony Reid scored and 2-0 was how it ended.

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN F.C. VS JERSEY BULLS

RESERVE TEAM LEAGUE

LEAGUE STANDINGS Sat

Sat 25 H Apr

Marg Isthmi 3pm

Isth mia Ma n rga Sou 3p m te th Eas t Isth mian Mar Sout 3pm gate h East

-55

HERNE KEPT AT BAY Having led thanks to Dan Perry's goal (below) we had to settle for a point against Herne

MATCH ACTION

Bay in our last home game despite Louie Theophanous's best efforts to score (top).

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN F.C. VS JERSEY BULLS

JERSEY BULLS – A HISTORY Founded in late 2018, Jersey Bulls is the most southerly football club in the English football league system. Following the footsteps of Guernsey F.C., the Bulls was conceived by Chairman Russell Le Feuvre to give Island players an opportunity to test their abilities in a more competitive environment on the mainland. It also gives islanders an opportunity to support a club side in Jersey that competes nationally like the Jersey Reds and Team Jets do in rugby and netball respectively. On 30th November 2018 the Bulls received F.A. approval for their bid to join the English football leagues and a month later the Combined Counties League approved their membership bid to join Division One for the 2019-20 season. The Bulls announced ex-Island representative player Gary Freeman as manager and signed up 32 local players. On 6th July 2019, the Bulls played their first match in a friendly at their home ground at Springfield Stadium against E.F.L. League Two team Stevenage, losing 3-4. Striker Fraser Barlow made history when he put the Bulls in the lead to be the clubs first goal scorer. Another friendly ten days later saw a 0-3 reverse against Leicester City U23 before a further leap into history was made when Bulls hosted their first league match against Ash United, winning 3-0. Barlow once again opened the scoring, followed by goals from Karl Hinds (penalty) and Harry Cardwell. That win began an unexpected and sensational run of 27 league wins out of 27 matches, with Bulls sealing ‘promotion’ to the Premier Division with their 27th victory, a 2-0 win at home to British Airways, their amazing achievements bringing the attention of the national media. Then the world went into lockdown due to the global pandemic, all league football was suspended before the F.A. made the decision to cancel the remainder of the non-league football season and render all of it null and void, in effect expunging Bulls’ record-breaking season as if it never happened. 2020-21 meant Bulls had it all to do again in Division One of the Combined Counties League but after four league wins and an opening round victory in their first F.A. Vase match it was another lockdown. However, promotion was eventually gained to the newly formed Combined Counties Premier Division South under the F.A. re-structure of the “non-league pyramid”. This was based on the points per game average gained in league matches over the two abandoned seasons and with the only 100% record the Bulls were ranked first nationwide. Continued restrictions meant that Jersey entered the 2021-22 season without having played any preseason friendlies. Those that had been arranged having had to be cancelled. Early league fixtures were all played away and some difficult opponents met early on. In contrast early success came in the F.A. Cup and the F.A. Vase, notably the former. A 10-1 win over Horsham Y.M.C.A. was the best debut match win in the competition since 1945. Further victories over Newhaven and the higher division V.C.D. Athletic led to a trip to Sutton Common Rovers, also senior in status to Jersey. A commendable draw led to an expensive return trip to the same venue a few days later as per the competition rules for offshore clubs. A 3-2 victory was inspired by a spectacular goal from Sol Solomon that featured on national television and was later celebrated in the local stamp issue celebrating 150 years of the F.A. Cup. Chertsey Town put an end to the run with a solitary goal in the Third Qualifying Round in front of a record home attendance of 1,611. Only four league games had been played by the time of the F.A. Cup exit and three more league games would have to be fitted in on midweek dates later in the season. Nevertheless, the league campaign was then tackled in earnest and by the beginning of March Jersey were in a three-way

tussle for the two promotion places. However, just when it was hoped that the season would end with a string of home fixtures it was announced that Springfield would be closed for its long-delayed re-development. That meant that three “home” fixtures would have to be played in England so there would be a run of seven fixtures “on the road”. Only one of them was won and with their rivals maintaining their momentum any promotion chance was gone. Regrouping the team won their last four matches back at Springfield to finish the season in fourth place after their first season at the higher level. A review of the season led to the heart wrenching decision to withdraw the club’s entry to the F.A. Cup for 2022-23 partly due to the restrictions placed on offshore clubs. It was hoped this would enable them to concentrate on their league and F.A. Vase campaigns. Continued success in the latter would also add to fixture re-arrangements, but as the rounds are about a month apart it was felt that these can be more readily accommodated. The season promised much but the two main goals proved to be beyond them. In the league they spent the season chasing Raynes Park Vale and Badshot Lea but lost at home to both of them as well as to three other teams. On the other hand they did not lose on their travels until their final trip, to Raynes Park Vale. Technically they also “lost” one other when they conceded to Colliers Wood United after they were twice fog bound at their home airport in late April. In the F.A. Vase Jersey won six matches before going down to the only goal of the game to the holders Newton Pagnell Town in the last sixteen. The 2023-24 season began, or the last one ended, with Jersey winning the men’s football tournament at the Island Games in Guernsey. 14 current and 4 former Bulls formed the squad that won all five their matches, the last of them on 14th July. That restricted the pre-season club build up to just one pre-season friendly, a fortnight later versus Scottish Second Division side Stenhousemuir. The Scots ran out 4-1 winners and went on to win the first league title in their 100+ year history in early April. Jersey had decided to re-enter the F.A. Cup and away at Sittingbourne was the first competitive fixture. Sittingbourne play at the level above and have just clinched a play-off place in the Isthmian Division 1 South-East Division. Therefore, a goalless draw in a hard-fought battle was no mean feat but it could have been better as Jersey blasted a penalty over the bar. Under F.A. rules Jersey had to travel back to England three days later for the replay which they won 2-0. On the same night the Under 18 team when down 1-3 on “penalties”, after a goalless draw over 90 minutes, to Camberley Town in the Grant McLellan Cup Semi-Final held over from the previous season. The league season opened with a home fixture against relegated Tooting & Mitcham United. In retrospect the 0-1 defeat was the worst result of the season. All the other defeats being against promotion contenders. A 2-0 midweek win at Alton put the first league points on the board before Knaphill visited in the next round of the F.A. Cup for the first of four matches over the season. Jersey took the lead but Knaphill scored a spectacular equaliser to take the teams back to the mainland three days later. Another tough match ensued and it was goalless after 90 minutes before Knaphill snatched an extra time winner. Returning to league action the Bulls went down 2-4 at Tadley Calleva when everything the opposition touched turned to gold. It left Jersey with a mere three points from their opening three league games. There followed five successive league wins, all with clean sheets. That put the Bulls top, albeit other teams had games in hand. In the same period the U18s defeated Carshalton Athletic and Eastbourne

United in the first two qualifying rounds of the F.A. Youth Cup. The first team’s winning run came to a halt with a 4-4 draw at Sandhurst Town. After Jersey had fought back from 0-2 to 4-2 up with a goal in the first minute of added time the final result was disappointing. Two clean sheet victories followed plus further progress for the U18s against Westfield before a 0-1 setback at Springfield against A.F.C. Croydon Athletic only a month after beating them in South-East London. Progress was continued with a 4-2 win at Guildford City, the early league leaders whose season was now in freefall. The U18s went out in the final qualifying round of the F.A. Youth Cup to Tring Athletic who went on to reach the 2nd Round “Proper” before losing narrowly to Leyton Orient. Back at Springfield a 99th minute equaliser against Knaphill had long term benefit come the season’s end. A contentious postponement at Horley Town gave the team the week off before they opened their F.A. Vase campaign. Exempt to the 2nd Round by dint of reaching the last 32 last season they won a hard fought 2-1 win at Holyport of the Combined Counties Premier North Division. Revenge was gained against Tadley Calleva by 3-0 and one of the goals of the season wrapped up the 4-0 home win over Sheerwater. Another Combined Counties North trip in the F.A. Vase resulted in a 1-0 win at Holyport before another goal of the season contender eventually broke down the Abbey Rangers defences at Springfield. The visit to Cobham started promisingly with two early goals but the home side were level before half-time and that is how it remained. Therefore, Jersey went into the break in 3rd place behind 100% Farnham Town as well as Knaphill with a record of 18 12-3-3 40-15 39. The new year opened with a 1-2 home defeat by Alton before Vase “hostilities” resumed with the visit of Hamworthy Recreation, unbeaten in Wessex League Division 1. A ‘keeper error late in the game gave Jersey a fortunate equaliser and they capitalised with a “shoot-out” win against a team that clinched their league title, still unbeaten, with five games to go in mid-April. Home draws against play-off contenders Redhill and Balham were followed by two wins against basement sides. Falmouth Town arrived for the 5th (last 16) round of the Vase and brought numerous supporters with them, many kitted out in Cornish tartan, amongst the record Bulls crowd of 1,346. A tremendous atmosphere prevailed only to be ruined by the worst refereeing decision of the season by the most senior official to “look after” a Bulls fixture. He awarded the Duchy team a penalty for their opening goal, film of the contentious decision going viral on social media. The visitors went on to win 3-0 only to lose in the quarter-finals, but after being pipped to top spot by local rivals Helston Athletic for the Western League Premier Division title they gained promotion via the play-offs. For Jersey it was a last 16 exit in successive seasons. Returning to the league Jersey gained a vital 2-0 win at Knaphill only to gain draws against mid table teams Fleet Town and Camberley Town. Missing eight regular first teamers Jersey then visited Farnham Town, still 100%. With their backs against the wall for most of the second half Jersey only went down to another dubious penalty award with minutes to go. Entering March the Bulls picked up the points against Guildford City and Sheerwater without being dominant and mid table Sandhurst Town repeated their previous feat of gaining a draw, this time a more mundane 1-1 at Springfield. Horley Town then failed to arrive mid-month for their second contentious postponement. Farnham Town did arrive, still unbeaten, but having recently dropped their first points of the season on a visit to Knaphill. Jersey looked to have robbed them of that record as they led 2-0 with eleven minutes remaining but Farnham pegged one back before being the beneficiaries of a ‘keeper howler that meant, with results elsewhere going their way, they could celebrate the title and promotion.

The run in started with a string of away fixtures, the first a trip to Redhill where another goalless draw was ground out with the crossbar denying Redhill a winner. Horley were eventually visited but the fixture was switched to the 3G of nearby South Park in Reigate. It was just as well it was as it rained throughout the match which the Bulls won 3-0. Abbey Rangers were seen off by the same margin before the last away was against the same opposition as the first home, Tooting and Mitcham United. A goalless draw was on the cards before another wonder goal midway through the second period set the Bulls up for a 2-0 win and an impressive final away record of 19 13-4-2 42-16 43. Jersey now had finishing second in their own hands but the fixtures would all be at home where the Bulls record was not as impressive as their one on the road. The first, a second match in a fortnight with Horley Town was won by the same score as the first, 3-0, with the second of these being another goal of the season contender. Needing a point against Fleet Town to ensure a home tie in the semi-final play-offs Jersey won 5-1 and a final match 3-0 win v Spelthorne guaranteed finishing second and therefore hosting the final should the Bulls reach that stage. A.F.C. Croydon Athletic having finished 5th were the semi-final opponents after climbing the table steadily since new investors arrived early season. The visitors battled to a 2-1 victory aided by a penalty miss and a defensive mix up to leave them travelling to Knaphill for the play-off final. Meanwhile Jersey having finished 4th, 3rd and 2nd can only hope that pattern continues for 2024-25. Following the play-off defeat came confirmation of the widely rumoured resignation of the complete management team, most of whom had been involved throughout the club’s five-year existence. They were duly thanked wholeheartedly for their efforts, much of it unseen by the wider audience. A.F.C. Croydon Athletic went to Knaphill and repeated their successful scoreline against Jersey to take them up along with Farnham Town. The island of Jersey is geographically nearer to France (only 14 miles) than England (87 miles) and entering a club in the national league presents a major challenge both logistically and financially. Bulls and their opponents have to fly to or from Gatwick airport to play each other so the club has to rely on the generous support of their commercial partners to survive. With a population of just over 100,000 people on an area of only 45 square miles, Jersey is classed as a “crown dependency”, independent in status from the U.K. and having its own laws and government. It also has its own currency and its own language, Jérriais – a Norman language, similar to that spoken by William the Conquerer, although you might be hard pressed to hear anyone still speak it unless you find yourself at the Farmers Inn!

Ever thought of volunteering to help your local football club? There are many different volunteer roles in non-league football and Isthmian League football clubs need your help with them. The Trident Leagues and Pitching In’s online Volunteer Hub is the place where you can find opportunities and contact your local football club. Please visit Pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk to find out more