Bulls officials have this week started investigating flight-refund options after their Combined Counties League tie was called off due to a water-logged pitch – 24 hours after manager Gary Freeman expressed concerns about the state of Chalky Lane in south-west London.
Advanced notice was given of the postponement, meaning the 14-strong squad plus coaches did not travel on Saturday morning, but the CCL Division I leaders – on a tight budget in their debut season – could now be looking at a loss of up to £3,000.
‘We’re obviously disappointed with the fact that we were called off,’ said Bulls director Russell Le Feuvre.
‘We have postponements budgeted in our business plan and we’re going through procedures, looking through what we can do in terms of regaining lost funds.
‘You’re looking at anywhere between £1,500-£3,000 per away game depending on the time of year, and it’s half-term week.’
Meanwhile, Le Feuvre hopes that Bulls’ two cup runs this term will include at least one home tie, although the impression given is that Jersey will be forced to travel midweek for every game to limit the impact on UK clubs.
The Islanders have already reached the quarter-finals of the Division I cup and play in the second round of the Premier Challenge Cup in November.
‘It’s a cup draw so officially we could be at home, but from what we’ve heard it could be that most of our games get drawn away,’ Le Feuvre explained.
‘Logistically for teams at this level to plan half-days off work … it’s something our players were aware of at the start of the year but not so much the opposition. It would be good to get a home draw in one round if we make it through, but we’ll wait and see.’
