‘IRREPLACEABLE’, ‘unplayable’, ‘stand out’.
There are plenty more ways to describe Jersey Bulls forward Sol Solomon but for manager Gary Freeman there are other distractions this week – namely attempting to fill a big void in his strikeforce.
A 60-goal sized one, in fact.
Solomon, who departed the Island for university last year and then quickly returned, is heading to pastures new again this autumn as he nears the completion of an deal with seventh-tier Liverpool outfit Marine FC.
‘First and foremost, we’re delighted for Sol, of course we are,’ said Freeman. ‘One of the primary reasons our club was created was to give boys from the Island a chance to showcase their talents, and Sol’s progression over the last four years has been a pleasure to witness.
‘When we first started, he wasn’t really playing much. But he’s got a work ethic and attitude that drives him and it’s an opportunity he will take with both hands.’
Solomon shot to prominence after scoring an outrageous goal against Sutton Common Rovers in the FA Cup last year, his mid-air back-heeled volley leading to thousands of views, clicks and shares on social media.
He has long been touted as the latest man in the Bulls squad to move up the ladder – Lorne Bickley had brief flirtations with Kettering and Hartlepool – and he will now ply his trade in the Northern Premier League, at Step 3, for a Marine side sat just two spots above the relegation places.
‘It all happened pretty quickly,’ Freeman continued. ‘Sol spoke to me after training last week and mentioned there’d been an approach from Marine, and it then became official as they went through the club.
‘He’s not contracted [with the Bulls], as he was last year, so sadly there’ll be no compensation to us but that’s not what it’s about.
‘He’ll also be able to carry on with his studies virtually and that will give him that time to really focus on his football. We’ve always said that Sol has ability but now it’s down to him to show that on a bigger platform and given the sort of man he is, he’ll do that.’
Freeman’s focus now turns to replacing a man who has been instrumental for the Bulls since their formation four years ago, and he’ll explore a range of options. They include Francis Lekimamati, who scored the last-gasp winner in Saturday’s FA Vase tie at Shoreham.
‘Sol has been massive for us – just look at the numbers,’ he said. ‘But we’re planning for the next evolution of this team.
‘Lorne has started the season really well and we only expect him to get stronger and then you’ve got guys like Francis and Jake [Prince].
‘There is also a group coming through with the under-18s now which we are very excited about and Sammy Henia-Kamau is a name people can look out for. We’ll look to get him integrated with us over the coming weeks and months. He’s a very talented young man.’
The Bulls do not return to action until Saturday 8 October, when Tadley Calleva visit Springfield. Before then, 17 of Freeman’s group – not including Solomon or Bickley – will be away on international duty, representing England in the Uefa Regions Cup in Italy.
