Having returned to the Island at the beginning of the year, he is hoping to use his role as the new academy director of St Peter Football Club to change that and ‘give something back’ to the game on the Island.
Vincenti hung up his boots last summer after 13 years playing in the upper divisions in English football, beginning at Millwall and ending at Macclesfield Town. He’s come back with his young family to start a career in the finance industry but he is keen to use his wealth of experience and contacts to benefit local coaches and players.
‘In my opinion Jersey should be producing more professional footballers,’ he said. ‘Since my playing days in Jersey, and even before that, we have had so many players with potential but I don’t think we have enough playing in the professional game. I felt I could have helped changed that.
‘I’m not looking to gain anything for myself,’ added the 34-year-old, who played at junior level for First Tower and St Peter. ‘I have a passion for football and a strong affiliation and fond memories for the club. If I can help one player then great, if I can help more even better.
‘My aim is to bring the experiences gained from my time as a professional and implement initiatives into the existing framework of the academy, which will hopefully continue to improve the club. There are a number of initiatives that I want to put in place for our coaches and players.
‘I have a number of contacts in the UK who I have spoken to and hopefully we will be able to utilise them. Hopefully we will be able to bring some coaches and tutors over who our coaches can learn from, to give them new ideas and knowledge which they can use for their own coaching development. That will filter down to the players, who will be getting the best coaching available to them. We will also look to bring over some professional footballers who will be able to speak to the players and give them an idea of what it is like in to be in the professional game.’
Vincenti will be taking over from outgoing academy director Brian Foulser this coming summer and is keen to bolster coaching and playing numbers, in particular in the under-16 age group.
The former Coventry City winger had applied for the role of chief executive officer at the Jersey Football Association, hoping that his experience could provide Islanders with a wealth of new opportunities. But while he accepts their decision to look elsewhere, in the shape of David Kennedy, Vincenti was left disillusioned having received no further contact.
‘When I decided to return to the Island, I did have discussions with the JFA in respect of the CEO position,’ he explained. ‘After I delivered my presentation, I was contacted by another representative of the JFA who informed me of the decision but advised me that they wanted to speak to me about a role in another capacity. I’m still waiting for that contact over 12 months later.
‘I have no problem with the decision made to appoint someone else. My disappointment is in the process and the way it was handled.’
Vincenti hoped that he could provide the JFA with a raft of new opportunities to explore – opportunities that St Peter will now benefit from – to push the standard of football to a much higher level.
‘The aim is to implement a structure that can develop that potential and prepare them technically, physically and mentally to fulfil their potential,’ he said.
It could mean a promising future for many young playes of the future.
