Jersey Bulls weigh financial impact of possible FA Cup comeback

Jersey Bulls manager Elliot Powell says the club must carefully assess the financial burden before committing to next season’s FA Cup.

The Bulls bowed out in the second qualifying round after a 5-0 defeat to National League South side Worthing in Tuesday’s replay. The islanders had drawn 2-2 at Springfield in the first meeting, having led 2-0, before falling short in Sussex.

It marked the club’s toughest test since their formation in 2019, and the first time they had faced a team from the sixth tier of English football.

The Bulls returned to the competition this year after withdrawing last season due to travel complications surrounding midweek replays. FA Cup rules mean offshore clubs such as Jersey Bulls, Guernsey FC and FC Isle of Man can host ties if drawn at home, but any replays must be staged on the English mainland.

“The financial implications are really difficult,” Powell told BBC Radio.

“Booking last-minute flights for a Tuesday replay is hugely expensive. Even this time, when we were due to be away anyway, we still had to adjust travel. You share gate receipts, you try to coordinate flights, but if the opposition aren’t willing to travel at certain times, that creates extra costs again.

“The winter flight timetable makes it even harder. Unfortunately, the timing of the FA Cup just doesn’t suit us financially. If anyone has ideas to make it more affordable for island clubs like us and Guernsey, it would help – because these are fantastic competitions that allow us to showcase what we can do.”

Despite the heavy defeat at Worthing, Powell said the campaign had been a valuable experience.

“Our chance was on Saturday, but we gave a really good account of ourselves over one-and-a-half games against a side who are paid to play,” he said.

“To get a glamour tie like Worthing, take it to a replay in front of 1,000 fans – probably our biggest away gate ever – that’s brilliant for everyone involved.

“It’s given young and senior players, as well as coaches, a chance to be seen. It puts us in the shop window and shows once again how Jersey punches above its weight in sport. Hopefully, football has added to that reputation over the last few days, with both our men’s and women’s teams competing so strongly.”