Manager Dave Kennedy’s 17-player squad includes a mix of youth and experience, with Jack McKenna and former Muratti players Chris Andrews and Ben Gallichan in contention again after missing May’s Muratti Vase final success and the NatWest Island Games under the guidance of JFA team boss Jimmy Reilly.
The Combination’s opening game is at Redbridge FC against the Amateur Football Combination on 26 September, and Kennedy, who will be assisted by Paul Brannan and Russell Le Feuvre, can’t wait to get his squad together to begin preparations.
JFC manager Dave Kennedy: “It has been a busy time watching players over the past couple of weeks, I’m happy with the 17 I’ve chosen”
Kennedy said: ‘We have our first session on Sunday morning at St Paul’s and I can’t wait to get the tracksuit on again to do some coaching.
‘It has been a busy time watching players over the past couple of weeks, I’m happy with the 17 I’ve chosen and I will be adding another goalkeeper.
‘I believe I’ve chosen the best players available at the moment; it’s been good that there has been a lot of competitive football on to see players in action and I’m confident that those chosen can do a good job for us.’
Kennedy, who assisted former Jersey manager Craig Culkin in San Marino, said: ‘Chris, Ben and Jack all played in San Marino so they have the experience of playing at that level and I will be looking for all the players who went to San Marino to lead from the front.
‘Chris Andrews is an outstanding player and work commitments resulted in him missing out on the Island Games and all the training ahead of it. He loves playing for the Island and together with the other experienced players in the squad, the experience of San Marino will hold them in good stead and, I hope, help the younger players along as well.
‘Every game in this tournament is a cup final because if you get beaten you are out.’
Kennedy will look to get his squad together weekly for training and twice during the week of the game.
Euan Van der Vliet, Michael Weir, Stuart André, Cavaghn Miley, Jack Cannon, Craig Russell and Kieran Lester (all St Paul’s); Calvin Weir, Luke Campbell, Pierce Cummins, Max Thompson, Ben Gallichan and Daryl Wilson (Jersey Scottish); Chris Andrews (JTC Jersey Wanderers); Jack McKenna (St Brelade); Rupert Murray (St Ouen) and Jason De Andrade (Trinity).
