Further doubt was cast over the Islanders’ 2020/21 campaign this week when they forfeited their FA Vase first-round tie and then announced that all of their November games will be rearranged.
Bulls were due to play Vase opponents Cobham at the Ascot racecourse ground this coming Saturday but were forced to pull out due to the rising number of Covid cases in the areas the squad will be travelling through. The traffic light travel system introduced by the Government of Jersey has also played its part, with all but one region in England now classified as amber or red – requiring a five-day or 14 day isolation period respectively when returning to the Island. Players cannot, therefore, receive their second Covid test result in time for work on a Monday.
The postponement of all November fixtures means Bulls, who sit on four league wins from four, will not be playing Farnham, Eversley & California, Bagshot, Tooting Bec or Chessington & Hook next month, having already fallen as far as six games behind some clubs in Combined Counties League Division I.
Withdrawal from the Vase comes with further disappointment as it is ends any hope of appearing at Wembley, where the tournament’s final is traditionally held. However, Bulls director Ian Horswell says this will not effect their ability to enter the FA Cup next season – thanks to their preliminary-round victory over Billinghurst earlier this month.
‘We have played in the FA Vase this season, so that is good news in terms of the eligibility criteria [for the FA Cup],’ Horswell explained.
‘We must gain promotion to Step 5 to be guaranteed entry into next season’s FA Cup. Promotion has always been our objective this season and the club will continue to go for that.’
It remains to be seen whether the club will take a similar approach to Guernsey FC, who have taken a sabbatical from the Isthmian League South East Division this term due to Covid travel restrictions on the sister isle.
When questioned on the threat of having to withdraw from the league, Horswell added: ‘No one knows what the future holds. There are six and a half months until the end of the season, so there is plenty of time to catch up games. We are pausing now and working with the league to look at alternative dates for the fixtures postponed.’
The next possible fixture for Gary Freeman’s side will be on Saturday 5 December against Deportivo Galicia. Horswell said a decision will be made relating to that game in late November.
