Two more clubs join Jersey’s football family

Two more clubs join Jersey’s football family

Portuguese United will be entering men’s and women’s teams in the Jacksons JFA Combination divisions and will also field a side in the Santander International Walking Football League. The men’s team will enter the Combination in Division I. It was originally rumoured that the club was related to Jersey Portuguese Football Club, were formed in 1971 but was suspended from the league in 2017 due to repeated disciplinary problems. However, following due diligence checks the JFA were satisfied that Portuguese United are entirely separate and that Jersey Portuguese remain suspended while related fines remain outstanding.

In a statement, the club said: ‘Portuguese United FC was set up in June 2020 by members of the local Portuguese community in Jersey with the desire to participate in football through a variety of men, women and walking football teams and are delighted to affiliate with JFA.

‘The club will naturally grow and in the future expand with the introduction of an academy to enable technical, physical, tactical and social development of young players with a pathway to senior football.’

Meanwhile, Beeches will concentrate their efforts solely on a team entering the Over-35 Division next season. The club was also originally considering entering a team in the men’s Divison I but, for now, the club will focus their attentions on competing in the veterans league. Beeches were once one of the strongest clubs in Jersey in the early post-war years becoming Jersey league champions on five occasions, the last of which came in the 1960-61 season. Chairman Tim Wiseman said: ‘Having played for Beeches for some 20 years and being a ‘one club player’ I am very glad to have us back. I’m keen to get any Beeches old boys back involved in any way they think they could help the club, be it on or off the pitch and we’d also welcome any new players wanting to join.’

Last month, it was confirmed that another new club, Dragoes de Jersey (Dragons of Jersey) would be joining the men’s league in Division I, giving a boost to local Saturday league football on the Island, while last season saw Sports Club of Jersey also enter the men’s league for the first time in the same division.

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