St Clement FC joint-manager Ade Hick says he would not stand in the way of any players wanting to play football in the UK league pyramid.
It is understood that there are again moves to form a new club to follow in the footsteps of Guernsey FC and play in an English league, subject to acceptance. A local group are believed to have already met JFA and Combination officials, and now plan to gauge the reaction of the Island’s clubs to such a move.
Hick revealed his own, personal views on the subject, following his side’s 2-0 victory over St Ouen in the Wheway Cup on Saturday. He said: ‘There are a number of competing ideas at the moment, with the JFA’s Uefa bid, Jersey FC and ConIFA [Confederation of Independent Football Associations]. I think it would be good for Jersey, as a whole, to get behind one idea.
‘Personally, I think we need to generate more interest and participation, as it feels like football has been on the decline over the past few years.
‘I understand the Jersey FC idea. It’s for the Island players and there is a need for more competitive games for the leading players. But whether they do that by creating a Jersey FC I don’t know.
‘For football to blossom we need to make it more competitive. The Premiership, despite St Paul’s winning the last five titles, is starting to look more competitive now, with more clubs vying for the top three positions.
‘I’m not sure if taking six players from each of the top three clubs to play for JFC would make it more competitive either.’
Hick, a coach for eight years, favours clubs looking to spread their own wings to test their players.
‘We should look to develop more links with leagues and semi-professional clubs to get more games,’ he added.
‘St Clement have developed a relationship with Brockenhurst, we had a pre-season game against them and it was a great experience and that’s what will generate the interest – the experience of playing teams from outside the Island.
‘I’m not against Jersey FC – it would be good to see some kind of change – but there is not just one answer to this.
‘Will a Jersey FC generate a greater participation or interest in football? I’m not 100 per cent sure it would.’
Hick praised St Peter for their success in competition in Kent last season.
He said: ‘It was interesting listening to how St Peter got on and playing in that competition gave their team a real boost.
‘If money was available and all Premiership clubs were able to play in Hampshire or Kent cups, I think that would create a more widespread interest for people to participate.
‘If we lose players to JFC it would have an impact on us, but less of an impact than some other clubs.
‘However, I would support players who wanted to develop themselves further in the game.’
Would JFC increase interest in football overall?
‘From a headline level it would,’ said Hick, adding: ‘But I’m not sure at grass roots. Would it increase participation? I don’t know.
‘St Clement is a Charter Standard Community Club and our goal is to give young people opportunities to play. We’ve got great facilities, we’re a well-run club and that is not going to change if there is a JFC.’
