Jersey Bulls title hopes in balance after points deduction

Jersey Bulls had hoped to win a league title for the first time in their history

Jersey Bulls' hopes of winning the Combined Counties Premier South title have been hit after the club was docked points for fielding an ineligible player.

The islanders have had three points deducted and fined £120 for playing a player who should have been suspended in their 4-0 win over Tooting and Mitcham United on 20 March.

Toby Ritzema had passed the threshold for a suspension after picking up too many yellow cards.

The deduction, which is subject to appeal, would drop the island side from first to third in the table ahead of their final game of the season on Saturday.

A win in that game against Sandhurst Town would have seen the Bulls clinch the title and automatic promotion into the Isthmian League.

The deduction means they have 90 points, two behind second-placed Whyteleafe and three off Redhill who are now top.

They could still win the title if they win and Redhill were to lose their final game of the season to mid-table Guildford City along with Whyteleafe drawing or losing at fifth-placed Fleet Town.

Should they finish second or third they would have a home tie in the play-offs, with the teams ranked second to fifth facing one another for the second promotion place.

"Administrative staff at Jersey Bulls FC realised an error had been made and reported it to the League and Jersey FA immediately," the club said in a statement.

"Despite efforts to set out the significant mitigation the decision based on the lack of clarity on the number of yellow cards, the Combined Counties League have confirmed the three-point deduction.

"As the club considers it's options, we'd like to apologise to our amazing players and coaching staff, and ask that our fantastic supporters rally behind the team at this crucial stage of the season."

In a statement sent to the BBC manager Elliot Powell and captain James Queree said it had been a difficult time for the team:

“The players and the management team were informed of the unexpected oversight on 2nd April.

“As a group, we agreed to keep this 'in-house,' given there were several factors beyond our control.

“We maintained our focus and our 'controllable' was on the football pitch. This has not been easy.

“We want to apologise to all those partners, family members, friends, colleagues and supporters we have not been completely transparent with whilst this matter has been pending.

“As you can appreciate this was a sensitive situation and we felt any action or in this case inaction, was best guided and driven from the club's Board of Directors.

“The past 16 days have been an emotional rollercoaster for everyone involved.”

'Lost for words'

A win at Abbey Rangers on Tuesday night had put Jersey Bulls on course for the title

Since being promoted to the ninth tier of English football in 2021 Bulls have gradually improved their league position year on year.

Having finished fourth in 2022 they were third in 2023 and second last season - the first year play-offs decided the second promotion place rather than it being automatically given to the runners up.

They were beaten by AFC Croydon Athletic in the play-offs 12 months ago, but this season under new manager Elliot Powell had been involved in an exciting three-way battle with Redhill and Whyteleafe for the title.

Despite losing to both of their title rivals at home - their only league defeats of the season - they had been consistent throughout the campaign, winning 29 of their 37 matches.

A 2-1 win at Abbey Rangers on Tuesday night, when the Bulls came back from a goal down, had put the islanders in the driving seat for the title until the deduction.

"I'm raging, I'm shocked, I'm lost for words," Bulls fan Ollie Boletta told BBC Radio Jersey.

"I'm not sure what's gone on, but something has and it's a real shock.

"It's mostly gutting for the players because they've been so good all season, they've been so consistent.

"We've been battering teams left, right and centre and it's just come down to this."