WITH the Euros reaching its climax and football fever having the Island in a firm grip, the Jersey Bulls return to action this weekend in a friendly competition, The Bulls Cup.
First created in 2022, The Bulls Cup was designed as a friendly pre-season event. This year the Bulls will compete alongside Curzon Ashton, Wythenshawe Town and Arthurian League to test their fitness and match sharpness in a competitive environment as the new league season looms ever nearer.
Tomorrow, the Bulls will play against Arthurian League at 3.30pm, while Curzon Ashton and Wythenshawe Town will play each other at 12pm.
The losers of those fixtures will face each other in a third-place play-off on Sunday at 12pm, while the winners will compete in the final on Sunday at 3.30pm.
Curzon Ashton are a strong Step 2 side, who reached the play-offs of their league last season and will offer stiff competition should the Bulls meet them on Sunday.
Wythenshawe Town won their play-offs at Step 5 last season by travelling to former EFL side Bury and winning on penalties.
Arthurian League, Bulls’ first opponents, were the FA Inter-League Cup winners.
There has been many changes in the Jersey Bulls set up of late. From new signings, players leaving and a whole new coaching and management staff in place, watching the Bulls run out tomorrow under the tutelage of Elliot Powell will be an interesting experience.
With former manager Gary Freeman and his staff deciding to step away from their posts following the Bulls’ defeat in the play-offs at the end of last season, Powell and his new team have already begun to implement their style on the squad.
Despite being formatted as a friendly competition, all four teams will view it as a good opportunity to see where they are.
Bulls captain James Queree admitted he had enjoyed taking part in a full pre-season this time around.
The experienced defender said: “It’s been a really good few weeks of training leading up to this.
“It’s always difficult in periods of transition, especially with the entire management changing, but I think Powelly and his team have made a really strong impression already.
“Many of us players have worked with him and his staff before, which makes the change a bit smoother.”
Queree also commented on the new players being brought into the squad, saying: “He [Powell] has made his intentions clear straight away with some of the signings that have been made.
“Especially with the young local players being called up.
“I think it shows good strength in depth and forward thinking to get these exciting young lads more involved and blood them at this level.
“With some of the other lads being brought in as well, it’s clear we’re making good strides as a squad.
“We all have the same target, to get out of our league as soon as possible and continue our upward trajectory.
“This weekend we get to challenge ourselves against some good opposition.
“Wythenshawe and Arthurian play at a similar level to us, whereas Curzon Ashton play a couple of leagues above, which should be an excellent challenge.
“We want these tests early. It’s a good chance for us to implement some new things we’ve been working on in training, as well as giving everybody playing time and being back in a competitive environment around this group again.
“We have a big squad of 22 players, so everyone will be used and, although it’s a friendly tournament, we very much want to get into a winning habit early for the start of the season.”
Jersey Bulls would like to thank their sponsor Grant Thornton for their continued support and sponsorship of this event.
