This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.

28 October 2014

	BBC Homepage

»	BBC Local Jersey Things to do People & Places Nature History Religion & Ethics Arts and Culture BBC Introducing TV & Radio Sites near Jersey Cornwall Devon Dorset Guernsey Hampshire Related BBC Sites England
	Contact Us

Reports

Vincenti sacked

By Brent Pilnick
The island’s football manager has been dismissed just four months before the Rhodes Island Games. Brent Pilnick looks back at Peter Vincenti’s career and the legacy of differences between himself and the governing body of Jersey football.

The Jersey Football Association has announced the dismissal of Jersey’s football manager, saying that the relationship between them has irretrievably broken down. No specific reason has been given.

The sacking was a shock to some within football, but to those of us in the game it wasn’t the most surprising thing we’d heard.

Strained

It’s not much of a secret within football that Peter Vincenti and the JFA hierarchy haven’t been seeing eye to eye lately, to say the least.

Relations between JFA President Ricky Weir along with his Vice-President Iain MacKenzie and Vincenti have been strained for months. In fact it’s difficult to say if they ever got on.

One just has to look at Vincenti’s unsuccessful bid to stand for the JFA vice presidency where his proposal speech was as much a thinly veiled attack on MacKenzie as it was why he felt he should get the job.

All three are very strong personalities, all three no-nonsense Scotsmen who believe in their own minds that they are right. Therefore when they disagree more often than not there’s friction between them.

I know from my position as a reporter that the JFA hierarchy and Vincenti have not seen eye to eye for months over the Island Games. For example the JFA wanted Vincenti to organise the players’ financial contributions for the Island Games. As far as Vincenti was concerned he picked and coached a football team and any administrative work was down to the JFA.

Frustrated

Then there’s the issue of a games programme. Since his return to the island fold Peter Vincenti has only taken the reigns for a handful of matches – winning them all. It’s no secret that Vincenti has been frustrated at what he believes is a lack of matches for his men, especially leading up to the Island games.

But the JFA point out, quite rightly, that it was Vincenti who pulled the island side out of the only regular competitive football it had ever had – the Southwest Counties Championship. There was no doubt that the SWCC wasn’t working. It failed to attract the crowds and many players simply couldn’t be bothered playing in meaningless matches which cost them money to play in – just look at the problems Dave Matthews had at times in raising a squad for some of the games. But at the end of the day it was still the only regular competitive football that Jersey had.

Record of success

There now leaves a very real problem for the JFA. Peter Vincenti for all his perceived faults was very good at his job.

Vincenti's last Muratti triumph

He’s lost only a handful of games in over a decade in two spells as island manager. He’s only ever lost one Muratti, and last time out picked a side which outplayed Guernsey. Jersey won four straight inter-island games under his leadership between 1993 and 1996, the longest winning streak since the great island side of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s and the biggest streak in the modern era of a single island manager.

Perhaps more importantly with Jersey going to Rhodes this summer is his unparalleled record at the Island Games.

In every games he’s managed he’s ensured his side has won their qualifying group. In 1993 in the Isle of Wight Jersey were unbeatable defeating champions Gibraltar in the opening game and thrashing the Isle of Man 5-1 in the final.

Two years in Gibraltar Jersey won the group in style winning all three matches and only conceding one goal on the way. In the semi they met the hosts in what was one of the greatest Jersey games of all time. Jersey went down to ten men because of injuries before half time. Then just before the end a mistake by the Jersey keeper led the Gibraltarians to a 1-0 win to start celebrations that went on well into the night throughout the rock. A match and an atmosphere that has never been seen before or since.

Then on home soil two years later his side again got a perfect record and famously thrashed old rivals Guernsey four-nil at Springfield to win the group by four points. Lee Bramley’s late winner in the final against Ynys Mon was the crowning glory, but who would have thought it would be his final match in charge of a Jersey side at the Island Games.

Expectations

Nobody out there has his experience at the Island Games, and with a number of major sides like Guernsey and the Isle of Man not going to Rhodes Jersey are expected to make the final if not take gold.

The last victory interview in May 2006

Whoever takes up the reigns not only has big shoes to fill, but high expectations to follow. The island side have never made an Island Games final without Vincenti at the helm, and anything less than a place in the last two will be seen by many as failure.

And what about the players? There’s no doubt that Vincenti gets the best out of them. What will a new man be able to do with Vincenti’s squad?

When it comes to the Island Games money is always a factor. The squad for the tournament has been picked and players are paying their way. Will a new man stay with these players, even if he wants to bring new ones in who he prefers or will he let some of the squad go and get new men in who have to start the financial ball rolling all over again?

Watershed

While the fact that Vincenti has parted company with the JFA is no surprise to me the timing is, as is the fact that he’s been sacked.

I always believed if Jersey won gold in Rhodes he’d probably call it a day, something the man himself confirmed to BBC Radio Jersey’s Sportscene programme. I think he’s had enough of what he believes is fighting against the JFA hierarchies both past and present.

I also think that we will never see him at the helm of the Jersey side again, and that is a loss. It’s not every day that someone who has done something better than anyone else finally signs off.

This is a watershed moment in Jersey sport.

It’s akin to the last time British rowing fans saw Steve Redgrave climb out of a boat, when Liverpool fans saw Bill Shankly in that pink shirt at the 1974 FA Cup Final or when Muhammed Ali lost to Trevor Berbick.

In fact perhaps comparing Vincenti to Ali isn’t as far fetched as you might think. Both think they were the greatest at their chosen sporting roles.

Both had run ins with the authorities which govern their sports.

Both left their sports at the top of their game – Ali after retaining the title against Spinks, Vincenti after the Island Games gold in 1997.

And both made a comeback a couple of years later which ended in a sad demise. While Ali lost Berbick and Holmes, Vincenti beat Guernsey and was on course to go out with another Island Games gold before being sacked.

Ali called himself the greatest and believed it. I think Peter Vincenti feels the same. And just like Ali, it’s difficult to disagree with him.

last updated: 05/03/07

Have Your Say

What do you make to Peter Vincenti's sacking?

Brodie
Anon you are talking rubbish leave your name.

Fan
To Anon, what would that track record be then? Getting beat in the u-18 Muratti last month? Vincenti should still be in!And how can anyone say he picks his kid as a favourite. Not only did he score a great goal he was one of the best players on the park in last years Muratti!

Know's best
to whoever is great decision? a true wally

Anon
Know's Best - do you know anything about Kennedy? Forget qualifications, he has a track record of managerial and coaching success in both Scotland and Jersey. Who would you say can better that?

great decision
it was a great decision, he again like everyone on the island picks favorites an not the best team as u no he puts his son in midfield wen he aint got anythin on chrissy and brodie its a joke we're all glad hes gone

ANON
What is going with this article? Making comparisions to Steve Redgrave,Bill Shankly and Muhammed Ali. Is this meant to be a joke??? Some people in Jersey need a reality check. The guy was manager of a Jersey Team who play very little competetive football. Jersey Football is in danger of being left behind. You only have to look at the likes of the Isle of Man Squad who won won the FA Stystems Cup last year and are not taking part in the Island games because they are representing England in the UEFA Regions Cup. There is no doubting the quality of players available for selection but the JFA need to get there act together.

Know's best
Anon get some sense - Kennedy is employed by the States no wonder he thinks about football he is paid too! The sad thing is that there are others who have lived in Jersey and have the qualifications to take it on but will not be given a chance as Kennedy does have one pathetic qualification - he says YES to everything just what the JFA need to get on with their little deals. YES man Kennedy been on the Island 2 minutes - sounds about right.

anon
Dave Kennedy would make a fantastic manager for the Jersey team. He has done nothing but try to improve the community standards especially for the youngsters (the future of football). He is a proven coach, an excellent fundraiser and has something most managers lack - vision. To me this goes to prove he is thinking about the future and deserves a chance to prove how good he would be.

Tony Carlyon
Bring back Goldie and Andy Barker!!!

Watching You Weir.
Peter vincenti said no to the south west counties to save the jfa money, they have a debt of £14,000 (because of last seasons involvement in the competition ) that has to be paid back before one penny will go to the players fund for the island games as reported by Weir in the JEP. Ian McKenzie (fixtures co-ordinator) where are your contacts? or are they just available for "sporting eventualities" ( N.Ireland school boys). The whole removal of Vincenti was conducted in a disgraceful way, any one in football with any sense nows that Weir has already sounded out Dave Kennedy for the job. Weir is not going to sack a manager with out having someone lined up less than two months before the inter insular and the island games. It stinks. Remember, DAVE KENNEDY done deal!!!!!!!!

Aldolfus Le Brun
Ar hell. What are the JFA up to. New JFA men same old rubbish. The timing is a sham. Why not agree to part ways after the Muratti and the Island Games. This behaviour is what you come to expect from the JFA. We hoped that Ricky Weir would bring something new to the table, however, he is acting in the same manner as the old guard who were back in the dark ages. I cannot wait to see who the JFA pick now. Kearsey?? Addison???. Kenny Addison is keen and passionate enough, but the JFA will not be brave enough to pick him. It's a shame Craig Culkin is too young. Another name to throw in the hat Andy Barker??

Past Footballer
The comments say it all. Local football is in this state because of all the rubbish on this page. How is Jersey football going to encourage sponsorship with comments like this? Peter had to go and well done to Ricky for tackling the problem so well. Now Jersey football can move forward under the “new” JFA. Winning matches is not the only thing; how you go about and do it is just as important. Perhaps the hundreds of ex-football followers who now watch Jersey rugby are the bright ones, they have seen the light.

Realistic
Get a grip Brent and everyone else and listen to Ben for a minute he seems to be the only one who hasn't allowed the island of Jersey to brainwash their minds into thinking this is something of importance....typical jersey crap - get off the island and live for a minute then come back and see if you still feel the sensational impulse to compare Vincenti to the likes of Ali - ridiculous and megalomanic.

Premier Team
Vincenti is a great manager both on and off the pitch.

PP
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, How many pickled peppers did Peter Piper pick? Who cares

Peter Vincenti's agent
Well I though he was outstanding.

True Fan
I think everyone should be realistic. At the end of the day Vincenti has been the best manager Jersey has ever had and therefore it is a loss to Jersey football that he is no longer involved.

Certainly the JFA could have come to an agreement and agree with Vincenti to part ways after the Island games. He is certainly the person to take Jersey all the way in the competition. How can they sack him 2 months before the Muratti and now be looking for a new manager. It just beggers belief!!

I think the people that have talked negatively about him are simply jealous and that will get these people nowhere!! You simply cannot argue with his record, 6 Muratti's, 5 u-21 muratti's, 2 Island Games Gold medals, Championships with both St Peter and Sporting academics as well as Upton's and other cups.

He was the man to take Jersey football forward and now the JFA have taken one gigantic step backwards!

Consult the players
Who would they prefer a respected manager who got the best out of them? Oh sorry we've sacked him! Shame on you Weir, Jersey football is going nowhere with u involved

Aurora drinker.
Culkin does not have the experience Morley maybe,what abaout Pat Brennen that would save him running us into the ground at training go on Ac Milan.

True Football Fan
J.F.A 1 St.Peter 0

CP
The national press ran a story this week that Jesus is alive and living in Lancashire well Little do they realise that God has been living in Jersey or so he would have us think. His comments in the JEP about him making a sacrifice for the players was nausiating. I had to put my fingers down my throat. Who does he really think that he is. Yesterdays man thats who he is.

Peter Vincenti
I have read this report and feel that I should just say we should put this behind us. Any connections between myself and JFA are now void, and that is the end of the matter. I just hope the next man to take up the position brings Jersey football the continued success it deserves. There is nothing else I want to say on the matter- I consider the case closed.

knows best
To English teacher here a comment to you " your an ignorant prat!" leave the old git alone, no harm

As for the squad D Murphy (gone away) & D Craven (lasy years Muratti) both of St Ouen, Healy & O'Haire from Rozel, C Andrews second division and a spread of others from Clubs with a lot of the under 21's being picked to come through along with the experienced players, plus what has he got his management team doing they were watching games as well for him? are you really suggesting that second division players would even beat Alderney? give it a break, what would the score be?

seems to me that the moaners on this site are either from Tower or the JFA as there is no foundation to their comments as Vincents results which speak volumes.

As for watchimg Murattis I go to every one home and away and I do not see any of the old players there at all, maybe a couple when at Springfield to throw that one at Vincenti is a bit off considering he has won is it 6 out of 7 and commented at Murattis as well?

Anyway he's gone now but at least respect what he has achieved its a pity the people who wrote some of these comments did not say it to his face mind you thats a coward for you.

As for him fighting on the touchline which I am told is not true, what about Valencia now thats a fight, lets get Vincenti and Wier at Springfield, big ring in the middle before the Muratti who would win, hold on Wier was the coward who did all this when Vincenti was in Portugal, probably would not turn up.

Give it to Nelio was he not the first Portugese captain of Jersey appointed by....Vincenti!!!!!! Yes he has done alright over the years and now we move on.

movi
Can't argue with his record but he had to go. The JFA need to work together. This is a guy who doesn't even bother to watch a Muratti if he isnt involved in it which says it all. its always been about him and his ego. Give it to Nelio!

voice of reason
The new manager has to be a person who knows the players and the team , no good putting in somone who does well in jersey football league if its because they have the best players!! its too easy!! look at the second div as well as the lower 1st div team managers

know's best
the real reason they got rid of Vincenti is so that they can spend the JFA's money on themselves

Player
The right decision has been made, Vincenti only played his favorite players (ones who play for scottish, trinity and grouvllie... etc), and not players who have been playing consistantly well. Look at a team like St Ouens, they are full of good young players who have been playing consistantly well for the last few seasons but never got the chance to play for the island under him. Hopefully this will change when the new manager comes in.

ws
football should not be taking as a joke!

WS
new start for jersey football to progess and for standards to in improve in ladies and man game

English Teacher
Charlie, calm down, it is spelt unbelievable. Even though it is not. The guy had to go, megalomaniac. Now there is a big word for you Charlie and it means excessive overestimation of one's own importance. Here's another word to check out. Sycophant.

Anon
I think the timing is all wrong but the decision is correct. His conduct at matches for someone of his position was a disgrace. For someone to call him an ambassador for the Island and then for him to be offering managers out for fights at games is a disgrace! If thats an ambassador then I think we are seriously struggling. I just hope whoever comes in now actually turns up to watch every team play and pick players on merit. You cant choose a squad from just watching St Peters every week. There are players in the squad (mainly St Peters) who dont deserve to be there and I hope the next man for the job makes the squad his own - picking it purely on merit.

Ex football manager/follower
The rumours were right then! no matter how Peter and the JFA got on, the timing of this borders on the ridiculous! Peter should have been left to run the island side up to the island games and then if they were still not happy with him find a replacement! but its just crazy, and everyone thought the new JFA committee would hopefully move Jersey football forward?

Peter has not helped himself lately but the fact it he gets results simple as that! the players want to play for him, simple as that! So surely as grown adults why cant Peter and the JFA get round a table and sort it out? to late now!

Anyhow moving forward and reading the paper last night i see Craig Culkin has been put in temp charge, he is a good coach and more so a good guy! but if i remember the last time the island manager resigned ( Mr Harris) his number two was not allowed to take over temp charge as he was manager of a club side ( scottish or St martins i think) cause it was against JFA rules! so how come its ok now? I have been out of the game for quite a few years now so maybe the rules have changed?

Just to finish off i believe the island job should be a paid one and whoever has been lined up to take over ( rumours that Mr Kennedy is the one) should be left to manage/coach and just generally run the teams not be chasing monies etc thats an admin job and its seems there are enough people at sprinfield getting paid who could do that!

and you wonder why the kids and the Jersey public support/follow the Jersey Rugby team, they have managed to compete against top uk sides on a regular basis and attract supporters to watch them! Well dont know about you but i am fed up with the Jersey/Guernsey muratti being the only worth while game the island side play, and thats once a year! and please dont tell me the island games is the way forward!

Anyway will get ofF my soap box and go back to watching the footy on the tv cause i really dont see how the JFA are going to fill sprinfield on a regular basis? maybe that was PeterS fault as well?

hoff
a shame, but i think comparing vinceti to redgrave, ali and shankly is poetic licence take a tad too far!!!!

CP
Lets get this right. He had trouble with the JfA first time around, a completely different group of people so who is wrong. No one is bigger than the team or the sport. He was only interested in his own self promotion. Get over it. The right decision and time to move on.

Played under BigV
Who is Ricky Weir and Ian Mac!?! Muppets! the JFA has been an absolute joke for as long as i can remember! the whole system is a mess! Jersey football is a mess! Big V was a great manager and has the honours to prove it! you that say he is arrogant just dont know him! there aint a manager n this Island like him! sack the JFA!

jersey supporter
Football holds no suprises anymore so lets get on with it rally round and support the next chap who will be the current JFA's choice and win the games. Vincenti did a great job but the big picture has to be seen and everyone has to pull in the same direction of the people elected if jersey football is going to progess.

Ben
Who actually really cares? This is Jersey football and is almost of nil importance. What are the attendences for matches played at club level and Island level? With the exception of the Murratti Vase I expect we are talking in 10's not hundreds. Perhaps if we managed to raise our games profile by getting the JFA Fifa accreditation, which would put us on a par with San Marino, The Faroes, Andorra etc etc, then we could take some pride in our game. As it stands Island football is joke and and standards are just not improving. What a drama over something of no real consequence.

Have you been in the pub all day??
Dave Philpott to be the next island manager???? You must be having a laugh!!!! Have you not seen what he has turned the giant of is First Tower into??? He has a smashing group of lads up there every week and he dosent take advantage of it. I bet those boys can not wait to see the back of him at the end of the season. Get Big Kev McCarthy involved and then they can start challenging the like of Scottish.

Local follower
The proof will be in the eating of the pudding and the results that come in the next games. I assume that the JFA Committe will do the honourable thing and resign if we do not win the Muratti or the Island games

Are you PISSED??
Dave Philpott to be next island manager???? he is the worst manager since football began!!! bet the Tower boys cant wait to see him go!!

Jersey Boy D
Joe Morley for Jersey...

Fran
The new man has to come in and adopt Peter's choosen Island games squad. Surely that is not fiar t the squad and to the players trying to make the squad. The new man must repick his own squad and get rid of some of the st peters boys already in there.

Anon
Shame because PV has the Midas touch on the Jsy Football team. Saying that he had to walk due to his appalling behavior at some recent local football matches, which was not akin to the Island Manager.

Jersey Fan
CHARLIE STICK TO COACHING 5 YEAR OLDS.WELL DONE RICKY.GET CULKIN AND MORLEY IN

Know's best
Jaffa and the Bean in England seem to have JFA connections or is it just jealousy, Vincenti has been the best Ambassador you only had to listen to how he always praised the opposition and spoke about Jersey and got he best out of the Jersey players, its the usual thing a person does well and the jealousy starts. The JFA knew he ws out of the Islnd and even called a special meeting keeping it all very quiet!

Jinky
I think it's a shocking decision and will hamper Jerseys chances at the island games. (especially my own of getting in the squad!!!)

harry b
So he gone. He didnt share the jfa's image of the future and they have decided to get another in before its too late . 4 months is time enough to prepare for the island games if we want to do well its up to us to get behind the new guy whoever it is. Lets hope this is forgotten when jersey win the games.

madden
he was a good manager, but not a nice person! horrible person! would of liked him to stay thou

Paul Crowell
The J.F.A. have behaved in a very shoddy manner. Instead to telling Mr Vincenti face to face that he is fired they chose to inform him by phone when he is out of the island on holiday. How cowardly is that ?

Jaffa
Good riddance, arrogant, and ill founded comments were his down fall. He was not a very good ambassador for the Island, let us hope a more humble approach is taken by the new manager.

FOOTBALL FOLLOWER
WHAT A JOKE, JFA LETS THE GUY DOWN AGAIN,SUPPOSE WE WILL HAVE A MANAGER WHO KNOW ONE WANTS TOO PLAY FOR AGAIN - GUERNSEY MUST BE LAUGHING AT US AGAIN MR WEIR SORT IT OUT - TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT YOURSELF - WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY DO? YOU SHOULD OF RESIGNED

Jerseyman in England
Glad to see he's gone- his ego and personality were always far too big for his boots- felt he was more important that the actual football team. Give the job to someone younger who really wants it, and wants to learn - someone along lines of Philpott (Tower), or Culkin (St Pauls).

Jsy Footy Fan
A very poor decision from the new committee. Their first major decision brings their own hidden agenda in to our game. No one will touch the Island Managers's post now. A replacement would have his work cut out especially if he's doing it for virtually nothing and has a committee that has lost the confidence of the island's footballer's already.

charliedaze
it's unbeleaveable, that the j.f.a. can;t see further than there nose.

ST PETER FAN
I think its a disgrace that the man has been sacked, his record is second to none,ricky weir is to blame the guy aint got a clue as well as bein an arrogant **** Vincenti is a Jersey Legend and its a big loss to the game.

jonno
He might be difficult to work with but so I imagine are a lot of successful managers. Do the players do enough fund raising themselves, like so many other sports do, or do they rely on others all the time?

CS
The JFA lives in the stone age and is a complete shambles compared to local UK FAs! Playing for a local team, i'm shocked and disgusted at the lack of organisation within this Association!

Ben
Unbelievable timing. The big story surely one day might be "JFA and island manager get on with each other"