There could be some overseas away days for Sandhurst Town and Eversley & California next season if the Combined Counties League get their way.
An announcement posted on the league website on Thursday revealed that a club from Jersey – known as Jersey Bulls FC – in the Channel Islands had applied for a place in the English Football Pyramid with the CCL a likely destinantion.
The Combined Counties League, and both clubs have experience with playing overseas however. When current Bostik League South East Division 1 side Guernsey joined the pyramid in 2011 they were placed in the Combined Counties League Division 1 alongside Eversely (prior to them merging with California FC).
The Channel Islands side won promotion at the first attempts and played matches at both Sandhurst and Windsor during the 2012/13 season.
The statement
The league statement says: Officials from both the FA and the League flew out to Jersey a fortnight ago for a meeting with the newly formed club, along with representatives from the Jersey FA, the local Jersey Combination and members of the States of Jersey, including the Sports Minister.
A ground inspection at Springfield Park also took place and whilst there are some fairly minor matters that need attention, it will be a ground where everyone can enjoy playing, being a state of the art 3G pitch with an impressive stand and other facilities.
Having received the application, the Management Committee will discuss it at the next meeting on Monday 17 December and if matters go smoothly, the application will be endorsed by the League and passed to the Leagues Committee of the Football Association, who will make the final decision in the usual manner.
The statement adds that matches in Jersey will be based largely upon the League’s previous experience with Guernsey FC.
Football in Bracknell is speculating but at the time that included Guernsey covering the cost of opposing teams travel to the island for fixtures.
Further reading: Guernsey FC blames travel costs for ticket price rises (BBC Sport)
