WHEN Elliot Powell was appointed Jersey Bulls manager on 28 May 2024, aged just 26, the club had a clear plan. Two years to escape Step 5, followed by a season of consolidation at Step 4.
Just over two years later, Powell and his coaching staff have already achieved considerably more than that – and have reached the landmark of 100 competitive games in charge following their 0-0 away trip to Winchester City last Saturday.
Powell’s coaching unit includes first-team coaches Dan Garton and David Kennedy, goalkeeper coach Richard Hebert, performance lead Andy Dewhurst, analyst Dylan Buesnel, kit manager Karl Benest and away team assistant Nathan Biddlecombe.
From a statistical perspective in that time, the Bulls have recorded 65 wins, 22 draws and 13 defeats, scoring 215 goals and conceding just 81.
Powell, commonly seen squatting on the sidelines deep in concentration, admits the milestone of 100 games has arrived quickly.
“It’s flown by, really, but it’s a nice landmark and hopefully a few more to come,” he said.
“They’re tiring seasons, but you quite quickly rack up those 100 games. It has crept up on us.”
The numbers tell only part of the story.
Powell’s first season saw Jersey put together a 22-match unbeaten run before the campaign ended in controversial circumstances, with an administrative error resulting in a three-point deduction and the loss of the league title.
This lead to one of Powell’s most famous quotes – “We won the league on the pitch, but lost it in the boardroom”.
However, the Bulls responded emphatically by winning the play-off final against Cobham 2-1 at Springfield Stadium, watched by more than 1,800 people, to secure promotion to Step 4.
They then finished third in their first Isthmian League campaign, recording 24 wins, 12 draws and six defeats, before narrowly missing out in the play-offs against AFC Whyteleafe.
They have since been moved into the Isthmian South Central Division and have begun the current campaign unbeaten.
Indeed, their league unbeaten run currently stands at 24 matches – stretching back into last season – currently the longest run of any side across all top eight divisions of English football.
For Powell, however, the defining moment remains that night against Cobham.
“My highlight would have to be the play-off final,” he said. “That moment when the whistle went – they’re definitely my favourite pictures in sport, with the crowd on the pitch, Jersey flags going and lots of happy tears.
“It had obviously been a stressful couple of months, so definitely that night against Cobham at Springfield.”
Garton, who has been Powell’s right hand man throughout the 100 games, shares that view.
“My personal highlight will always be the play-off final night versus Cobham,” he said.
“Seeing a fully packed-out Springfield and everyone behind us that night – adults and kids running onto the pitch. It was an incredibly special night and one I’ll never forget.”
The first-team coach believes the club’s progress has been built on structure and a collective approach.
“We’d always looked at a three-year plan from the start,” said Garton (left).
“Year one was about ensuring we got out of Step 5, year two about stabilising and finding our feet in Step 4, and year three was about pushing for promotion to Step 3. We’re well on track for that.”
Powell believes the strength of the coaching team has been crucial.
“It’s a team of us,” he said. “Garts, Andy Dewhurst and Karl [Benest] have been there for the whole time that we’ve been at the club, while Rich Hebert, Dave Kennedy and Adam Lester have also played important roles along the way.
“The fact that we’ve stayed together as a coaching team shows how tight-knit we are. You’re as good as your weakest link, and thankfully we’ve got a really strong coaching team that have been able to add value to the lads every week and professionalise the environment that we can provide them.”
Captain James Querée believes that collective contribution should be recognised alongside Powell’s achievement.
“I think it’s important to recognise the efforts not only of Elliot but of everyone who has been part of that journey,” said the skipper.
“Andy and Dylan [Buesnel], from a performance analysis point of view, have supported the team from the outset, while Garts has been here from the start, along with Adam Lester in the first season, and now Dave Kennedy and Rich Hebert.
“It’s a collective, and I think Elliot would be the first to say that.”
Querée has been particularly impressed by the standards Powell has brought to the club.
“He’s instilled a professional environment and really dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s to make sure the players are resourced to perform on the pitch,” he added.
“He always has our corner, and he’s created a winning culture where we hold our own standards.”
Bulls co-founder Ian Horswell believes Powell’s meticulous approach has been central to that progress.
“Elliot is a detailed guy, he’s so meticulous in his planning and preparation, which is something that’s recognised and massively appreciated by all the players,” he said.
“He’s also created a great environment around him. The players want to play for him, there’s a real togetherness within the group.
“At the same time, to have the high expectations and standards that he sets, to get that balance right is definitely one of his biggest strengths.”
Powell’s ambitions have now moved beyond the original plan.
“Now the plan has changed to try to get us out of Step 4 through the top door rather than the trap door,” he said.
“We were close last season, and I think we can go one step further this year.”
Garton is equally clear about the objective.
“All that we’re focused on now for the future is winning the league,” he said. “We think we’ve got a squad good enough to do it this year and everything is focused on that now.”
For Powell, the Bulls remain more than simply a football team.
“The club’s set up to give local people, whether that’s players or coaches, an opportunity to test themselves at a higher level, and we’ve done that,” he said.
“It’s great for our academy kids to see the level that you can reach as a local lad now. You don’t necessarily have to go away to play a good level of football.
“If we can get up one more level, then even better for those kids who can stay and play Step 3 football while on the island.”
And while Powell’s own ambitions may well someday extend beyond Jersey, Querée hopes he gets the opportunity to pursue them.
“I can’t see, and I selfishly hope, that Elliot isn’t around to celebrate 200 games in Jersey football, because I really believe he’s destined to have a career in the game,” Querée noted.
“I hope he gets the opportunity to fulfil his potential.”
Horswell, meanwhile, believes the 100-game milestone is just another marker in the Bulls’ continuing development.
“I’m really delighted he’s celebrating 100 games. It’s a great milestone and hopefully there’s plenty more to come.”
