Sir Stephen was the guest of honour at what turned out to be Jersey Bulls’ last game at home to British Airways FC before the Combined Counties League was suspended and the Island put in lockdown. He was appointed as Jersey’s 42nd lieutenant-governor in 2017, acting as the representative of the British monarchy in the Bailiwick for a set-term of five years.
Jersey Bulls chairman Russell Le Feuvre said: ‘The club are delighted that His Excellency the has accepted the role and we believe that it is great news for the whole club and its supporters. We had been discussing having a patron for a while and, after meeting him, we thought it would be a great honour for the club if His Excellency accepted the position.
‘We welcome his closer involvement with the club over the coming years. He really supports the ethos behind the football club and it is great that he appreciates the commitment that the management, its players and volunteers are making to promote our Island.’
Sir Stephen is a retired Royal Air Force commander who reached the rank of air chief marshal, the most senior peacetime rank in the force. In 2012, he was given a knighthood for his services in the military and awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath.
‘I am delighted to have been invited to be the patron of the Jersey Bulls Football Club,’ said Sir Stephen. ‘Jersey has a wealth of sporting talent and in just their first season, the Bulls have shown what can be achieved in a relatively short time with commitment, hard training, and teamwork. Their achievements over the last year have been a real beacon for Jersey and shown that with strong leadership, organisation and consistent high quality performance on the pitch it is possible to go from a standing start and rise to be amongst the very best.
‘I look forward to supporting them over the years to come as they seek to reach the highest echelons of the game and promote the name of Jersey football throughout Great Britain and beyond.’
