CI League appears last thing on Jersey officials' minds

THE prospect of a Channel Islands League appears ever distant. Nearly 70 football club officials attended an open forum on the state of the Jersey game at Fort Regent on Monday and the subject of the CI League did not come up at all.

'The CI League wasn't even touched,' said Jersey Evening Post football correspondent Andy Bradshaw.

'Nobody mentioned it at all,' he said.

Bradshaw described the get-together as 'lively and informative' but it seems there is little prospect of the Caesareans following Guernsey's lead and putting their weight behind a CI League, first suggested by former GFA president Dave Dorey some years ago, and also recommended by the more recent Harvey Report.

Jersey appear still keen on lifting their game via the Fifa and Uefa route.

'They are going to look at Fifa/Uefa again,' said Bradshaw.

'They are going to see if they can get in a smaller nations tournament.'

The meeting also ruled out the idea of Jersey playing as a club side in a French or English league.

'That idea is by-the-by now,' added Bradshaw.

Jersey's junior star Brett Pitman has signed a two-year full-time contract with Bournemouth.

The son of former Muratti hero Brent signed up just days before his 18th birthday.

The young pro has been in the Cherries' first-team squad on a regular basis and had a few run-outs from the bench.

* IN C&W Youth One last night, North beat Sylvans 7-2 and Bels defeated St Martin's 1-0.

Tonight, Bels host Vale Rec at the Track in the Stranger Cup semi-final (kick off 7.30). The winners will meet North in the final next Wednesday.