Red tape denies title for Jersey Bulls

The Jersey Bulls recorded a 1-0 win they required over Sandhurst Town at Springfield Stadium on Saturday, but a 3-point deduction from the League meant they missed out on the title on the final day Picture: JOSH WINSTANLEY " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/jerseyeveningpost.

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com/jerseyeveningpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Powelly--scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" />I’ll admit, this has not been an easy match report to pen.

Considering the complexity of the current situation, as well as the ongoing appeal process, I shall try my very best to give an overview of the situation in which Jersey Bulls find themselves in, with a full investigation to follow later in the JEP.Heading into last Saturday’s game at Springfield Stadium against Sandhurst Town, the Bulls sat top of the Combined Counties Premier Division South league on 93 points, ahead of Redhill on goal difference and requiring a win to secure the league title and the sole automatic promotion spot.However, a statement released by the Bulls’ media team on the Friday evening before the match announced the club were being deducted 3 points for breaching the league rules by fielding a suspended player.

A member of the squad, who shall remain nameless, had received a total of ten yellow cards which, by the league rules, should have required him to serve a two-game suspension.However, at the time, one of those yellow cards had been issued in an Isuzu FA Vase cup match, which should not have counted towards the league’s tally.This error was not picked up on at the time, and the aforementioned player was sat out for two matches, 8 March at home against Horley Town, 11 March away at Abbey Rangers, which was abandoned so did not count, and 15 March at home again against Camberley Town.

Thinking he had now served his ban, the player was returned to the squad for the home clash against Fleet Town on 22 March, where he played and then picked up his tenth league yellow card.Despite the club thinking the player had already served his suspension, it is from then that he should have missed the next two matches, which were the 29 March against Tooting & Mitcham United and the first Redhill clash away on 5 April.The player in question was played in the Tooting fixture, which is where the offence was committed.

As per that statement, administrative staff at Jersey Bulls FC realised an error had been made and reported it to the League and Jersey FA immediately.Despite efforts to set out the significant mitigating circumstances that the decision was based on the lack of clarity on the number of yellow cards, the Combined Counties League confirmed the 3-point deduction on Friday, 18 April at 8:46pm.The Bulls were given seven days to appeal the decision, which is now ongoing.

Miguel Carvalho stands a lone figure in front of a standing ovation at Springfield, showing the devastation shared by all Picture: JOSH WINSTANLEYIn a joint statement released by manager Elliot Powell and club captain James Querée, the pair announced their disappointment at hearing of the news, especially so close to the final match of the season.The pair spoke of their devastation at knowing they were so close to achieving their season long goal of winning the league, just to have it affected so late in the piece.The statement says that the players were made aware of the situation on 2 April, but agreed to keep the story in-house and continue to focus on the “controllable’s”, winning football matches.

Both Powell and Querée were effusive in their statement in thanking club director Simon Frankel, a new appointment to the Board of Directors, for his immense efforts in preparing the club’s case.Match ReportWhat was set up to be a momentous day of celebration, turned into an understandably subdued occasion.During the match itself, the first half in particular saw very little action to excite either sets of fans, both sides walking in at half time goalless with little to show for their efforts.

The second half livened up slightly however, culminating in the only goal of the game coming just after the hour mark.You’d have had good odds to pick Joe Kilshaw as your top scorer this season, but with 16 league goals to his name, he finished in the top ten goalscorers in the division. Combine that with seven assists, those numbers make for impressive reading.

It was Karl Hinds chosen to lead the line, after an excellent performance in the week away at Abbey Rangers, where his successful spot kick secured the three points.Joe Kilshaw scored the game winner with his 16th goal of the season Picture: JOSH WINSTANLEYEver tenacious, Hinds managed to slot a cheeky ball through the line to find Lorne Bickley, who saw his attempted dink saved by the on-rushing Sandhurst ‘keeper, Harry White. However, following up behind him was the goal-hungry Kilshaw who took the ball down and rifled it into the roof of the net.

The Bulls could have scored more as the game went on, however White in the Sandhurst net was doing his utmost to keep his side in it with a string of superb saves, including one amazing double save in the dying moments.As the final whistle blew however, Sandhurst’s defeat meant they slipped into the bottom three and are now subsequently relegated from the division.What followed was a magnificent standing ovation from those in attendance, with the Bulls players performing a lap of the field, joining in the applause for their supporters.

Bulls captain and central defender, James Querée Picture: JOSH WINSTANLEYCaptain, James Querée As emotions poured out on the faces of all involved, words from inspirational skipper Querée confirmed the player’s thoughts.“There’s a lot of emotions, that’s for sure,” said the captain. “As the statement said that we released, we set out at the start of this season with a goal to get the most points on the football pitch and we’ve done that.

“We had the best goal difference, and I’m just so incredibly proud of every single one of the lads.“Lot’s of emotions, but we will go again, mark my words. We will go again.

”Elliot PowellAn emotional Elliot Powell spoke to the press post match with the maturity and professionalism befitting of a top class leader.The outstanding young manager said: “It’s pretty impossible to sum up the emotions right now, to be honest.“We did our job on the pitch, I don’t think it was our best performance but that’s completely understandable.

“I thought our defence were particularly good, James [Querée] and Luke [Campbell] were outstanding today.“What all of this has given me though is an immense sense of pride in the men in that changing room.“I don’t know what the next few weeks holds with the play offs, but we’ve won the league on the pitch.

“For those boys to have achieved that, with everything else that’s been going on off the pitch, im so proud and it’s an absolute privilege to work with them.”Regarding the points deduction pre match, Powell continued: “It’s gutting for us, you go into a 38 game season with the aim of playoffs and promotion by the playoffs and we’ve gone and won the league.“Not only have we won the league, but we’ve done it against teams who have significantly bigger budgets, who can pull players in at the last minute if required, we can’t do that.

“There’s 25 lads here who have represented their Island and won the league on the pitch, but we’ve lost it in the board room.“I don’t want to put into words how that feels right now, it’s pretty difficult to take.”In a particularly touching moment, Powell used his moment to highlight one particular member of his team who’s current situation goes a long way to putting everything in perspective.

Jersey Bulls midfielder, Luke Watson Picture: JOSH WINSTANLEY“I can see Luke Watson sitting behind you there, what an incredible man he is and what an incredibly tough week it has been for him and his family.“For Luke and his family, today is a particularly difficult anniversary for them, so for him to even be here playing today is a spectacular effort.“People don’t understand the sacrifices we go through to compete in this season and for Luke to be on the pitch today, leading from the front as he did, we’re incredibly proud of him and we dedicate this win to the Watson family.

”Powell continued: “We spoke a lot about pride coming in today, knowing that we had done everything we could to win the league on the pitch. That was the only motivation coming into this game.“We played for every member of that changing room, coaches, kit men, players, everyone, I’m so incredibly proud of every member of this group.

“We don’t know what will happen over the next couple of weeks, but we should still take an immense sense of pride from this difficult time.“I would like to thank everybody who turned out both today at Springfield and throughout the whole season to support us on this journey.“Our supporters are amazing and it makes such a difference to the players knowing they have that support behind them.

“There were some chants today at their displeasure of what’s happened and I can understand why.“They have paid good money thinking they were going to see us lift the title today and that’s not proved the case.“But I’m so thankful they have stayed with us, travelling both home and away with us this season and we’re going need that support for two more games if we’re going to get out of this league.

”The Bulls now potentially have to face their fate in the playoffs, assuming the appeal process is unsuccessful.By finishing third overall, they will host fourth placed Cobham at Springfield this Saturday.If victorious, they will face the winner of AFC Whyteleafe and Fleet Town in the playoff final, with the overall winner securing the second promotion spot.

The Jersey Bulls produced a magnificent campaign to finish with more points than clubs with significantly higher budgets and player depth. If their appeal process is unsuccessful, they will face their fate in the playoffs. Picture: GEORGE MARRIOTT Archie Brown reports.

..As we all know, coming into this game that morale was going to be low.

After the upsetting news a couple days ago, we all wished to at least get through this game, and that we did.The first half wasn’t the best, with our players barely getting through the defence and our goalkeeper having a couple of close calls.Our wingers did all they can, crossing in the balls and dribbling past opposition but there was either no one there or missing it completely, it was a complete shambles and our team felt slumped.

The game improved a bit after Fraser Barlow’s brilliantly placed free kick deflected against Sandhurst defence and went for a corner, which then he nearly scored too.Les Quesne crossed it nicely twice for Barlow and Carvalho who both couldn’t convert successfully first off, Carvalho neatly played it into his feet whilst scattering past defenders and second, Barlow barely scraped it on his head to put it back of the net.Our troubles ended in the second half, with our boys coming onto the pitch with a different attitude.

Their play looking unrecognisable compared to the glum first half.James Carr was substituted on for Jay Giles and absolutely changed the game, he had many chances and was practically dancing past the midfield ready to slide the ball to whoever’s boots required.It was Karl Hinds who produced the decisive pass, slotting through Bickley who unfortunately saw his finish saved parried, but the goal machine Joe Kilshaw was right behind him to save the day.

Smashing it into the roof of the net, the midfielder grabbed his 16th of the season, which landed him player of the match.Jersey Bulls: Pierce Roche, Jay Giles (off 48), James Querée (c), Luke Campbell, Jonny Le Quesne, Luke Watson (off 71), Joe Kilshaw, Adam Trotter (YC 29) (off 56), Fraser Barlow (of 69), Karl Hinds, Miguel Carvalho (off 79)Subs: Paul McKay (on 71), Lorne Bickley (on 56), Francis Lekimamati (on 69), James Carr (on 48), Kieran Lester (on 79)Sandhurst Town: Harry White, Toby Thompson (off 86), George Brough (off 86), Lewis Wilson, Conor Allison, Toby Lawes, Eddie Cooper, Zack Cox (off 90+2), Shane Qoloni (off 90+2), Alfie Edmonds, Charlie SellSubs: Adam Maadini (on 86), Mason Slade (on 90+2), Callum Barrie (on 86), Ryan Lopes (on 90+2), Elliott MilesThe post Red tape denies title for Jersey Bulls appeared first on Jersey Evening Post..