Reports

Opportunities for Jersey footballers to play at a national or even international level are limited at the moment, despite football being the most popular sport in the island.

From rugby in the London 2 South league, to hockey players in the Hockey Association Cup or netballers in the South West Premier league - nearly every other sport in the island enjoys the chance to compete regularly above the local level.

But for the majority of Jersey’s most promising footballers the best they can look forward to is the yearly Muratti match against Guernsey.

For some time now those involved with the sport have been calling for more opportunities to compete outside the domestic league system.

The Muratti is the highlight of the Jersey season

'Make opportunities work'

During Thompson’s time in the island BBC Jersey asked him if the FA would support the entry of a Jersey United club into an English league.

“I see no obstacles about anything,” said Thompson in response, “I see opportunities. What we’ve got to do is make those sensible opportunities work where we can.”

Currently none of Jersey’s club’s home pitches meet the qualifications needed to compete in events such as the FA Cup, FA Vase or any of the FA leagues – although Springfield is nearly there.

Jersey played twice in National League System Cup

Unexceptional circumstances

For any local club on the mainland it’s a simple matter of jumping on a bus to find some meaningful competition – but as Jersey's an island it’s not quite that simple, and as such calls have been made to allow Jersey teams special dispensation.

However, Thompson was very doubtful that an exception clause could be made for one or more Jersey clubs to call Springfield their home pitch just for FA events so that they could join FA competitions:

“When you have rules and you have hundreds of clubs enter the competitions it is extremely difficult to start giving exemptions…it’s got to be exceptional circumstances in my view.”

He said that he didn’t believe Jersey’s case was “sufficient as an exemption”, but added that he understood the problem.

Jersey Rugby Club plays in a RFU league in the UK

Could Jersey join UEFA?

One popular solution amongst football supporters in the island is that Jersey should be allowed to enter international UEFA and FIFA events.

There are currently a number of territories, such as Greenland and Gibraltar, who face similar problems to Jersey and it’s been suggested that UEFA should set up an extra lower tier for these nations.

Whilst Thompson, who is also vice-president of FIFA and UEFA, wants to address these problems, he stated that he was “not suggesting” a lower international tier.

“At the moment, under the current statutes, those sort of territories couldn’t be admitted – they don’t meet the qualification of entry into UEFA,” he explained. 

“What I’m saying is that some avenues of working parties looking at the issue may be able to help – I don’t know.”

Jersey players get occasional friendlies

Jersey United?

While it’s clear that there is a hunger for competition outside the local league from Jersey’s footballers, and that the FA want to help where they can, there still seems to be a long way to go.

Perhaps the island’s best bet may be to take a leaf out of rugby’s book and set up a Jersey United club team at Springfield which could enter an English club league.

However, achieving this and ensuring the club met all the FA qualification standards to be accepted into a league would require substantial financial corporate backing and sponsorship.