THERE is a new face at the forefront of Jersey football: Elliot Powell.
The 25-year-old men’s team manager is aiming to stamp his mark on the side at this year’s Island Games.
He has been a revelation at combination club St Peter, leading the western outfit to their first top-flight title in 17 years.
Now he has the opportunity, alongside assistant coach Dan Garton, to fight for Island Games gold for the Caesareans.
He said: ‘We want to go in and be comfortable with the squad.
‘We didn’t want to go in and try and muddle through what’s already happened.
‘There have been some great achievements in the past, but if we are going to fail, I want to fail our way and, if we are going to succeed, I want it to be our way also.
‘We certainly want to put our own authority on the side and the lads will have seen that through a different set-up.
‘The coaching team is young and I’d like to think our methodology is relatively modern.
‘The lads have seemed to have bought into that, so we are excited for the opportunity in Guernsey.’
Jersey and our Sarnian neighbours have been the most successful islands in football at the Games. However, the Caesareans have not tasted gold since 2009, when they defeated hosts Aland in the final.
Powell believes that his current ‘hybrid’ crop blend together to create a group that can push to end their 14-year wait for glory.
Unfortunately, Kieran Stephens, following a stand-out season with Grouville, is a late withdrawal with a hamstring injury.
However, it has given an opportunity to Marine player Sol Solomon, who has already made a lasting impression on the Merseyside club.
‘I think I perhaps went down the route of including more combination players than is the norm. It is much more of a hybrid side.
‘There will always be that strong Bulls influence in there, but I am a massive supporter of the local league and there are plenty of players in there who deserve their place.
‘Just because they are playing locally doesn’t necessarily mean they are not good enough.
‘Their situation might not allow them to travel away weekly with the Bulls.
‘Karl Hinds is a prime example. Scoring 50 goals for the season is incredible and, regardless of what colours you wear, if you deserve your place, then you are welcome in my team.’
The St Peter manager’s success came from a stingy defence that conceded just six goals across 14 games.
Powell’s hope is that defensive discipline can be transferred to Jersey.
‘We need to enjoy the horrible side of the game and embrace defensive work,’ he said.
‘All these guys don’t really need much coaching in going forward, so if we can nail the defensive side and be well structured, that will lay the foundations for success.’
Jersey FA men’s squad: Euan Van Der Vliet, Jonny Le Quesne, Jay Giles, James Queree (c), Luke Campbell, Joe Kilshaw, Francis Lekimamati, Luke Watson, Lorne Bickley, Karl Hinds, Sol Solomon, Toby Ritzema, James Carr, Adam Trotter, Paul McCafferty, Miguel Carvalho, Harry Curtis, Pierce Roche.
