The 18 strong Northern Ireland squad will play two games in as many days, as they take on Jersey’s U18s at the same venue tomorrow night.
Entry to the stadium will be free, although donations to the Great Ormond Street Hospital Appeal will be welcomed on the gates.
Sporting Eventualities, the organisation responsible for the annual Jersey Football Tournament which has seen the likes of Barcelona, Boca Juniors, Glasgow Celtic and Manchester United play in the Island over recent years, are largely to thank for arranging the tour.
Jersey’s senior and U21 manager Dave Matthews applauded Iain MacKenzie and colleague Paul Sowney for their great efforts in organising the event.
‘It’s a superb way to kick-off our centenary and I’d like to thank Iain and Paul for making it possible,’ he said.
‘What they’ve done for local football in recent years is tremendous.’ Although the games are classed as exhibition matches, the visitors will be capped for the occasion and Matthews believes the game will be hotly contested.
‘What our lads have to understand is that their boys are getting international caps for this match so I don’t think it will be exhibition stuff – it will be fair but competitive.
‘That’s a great testament to our football and as Island manager I’m taking it very seriously.’ Three of Jersey’s U21 side have senior experience and this may prove vital in tonight’s clash.
‘He’s played senior Muratti football against Alderney and played for Jersey in the South-west Counties League.
They’ve all been playing well for their clubs and we’ve got a strong squad so I’m looking forward to the game.’ Sporting Eventualities are a locally based organisation which works in conjunction with professional clubs and associations and has close connections in Northern Ireland, as MacKenzie explains.
‘We’ve been working with Northern Ireland for the past four years and we had the opportunity to take them to Holland or France,’ said MacKenzie.
‘But with it being the JFA’s centenary year it was the perfect opportunity to bring them here and it’s ideal preparation for our U21s and U18s.
‘My colleague Paul Sowney will be attending a meeting with the association in the coming weeks to discuss, among other things, the idea of the full international side using Jersey as a training camp.
Obviously they will want to play matches while they are here – so that provides a great opportunity for local football.
Lawrie Sanchez, who coaches the full international side, will also be attending the meeting.’ Robert Nesbitt, President of the Northern Ireland Schools Football Association, is delighted to be in the Island – but with the annual Centenary Shield fast approaching, a tournament that is shown live on SkySports and includes England, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and Wales, he was keen to dismiss any reports billing the encounter as an exhibition match.
‘This is a good opportunity to prepare for the Centenary Shield,’ he said.
‘It ranks as an international game and carries everything that goes with that – the mental preparation because they’ll feel the nerves of playing in an away stadium and the team bonding because it’s the first time they’ve really gone away as a group.’ Thanks to MacKenzie and Sowney Jersey is becoming more and more appealing to professional clubs and associations.
‘The arrangements have been first class,’ said Nesbitt.
‘It’s a good place to stage a game and the facilities here are amazing.
‘I’ve suggested to the senior and U21 sides that they use the Island as a training base to stage matches because as well as playing Jersey, other teams, from France for example, could get here easily.
‘We would also very much like a Jersey side to come to Northern Ireland and take part in a tournament.’
