The Bulls Experience

I arrived at Springfield in good time and had a look around the FanZone, new for this season. The merchandise stool was run by John Elphick, who has been running the shop since the club’s inception. John proudly sells all kinds of memorabilia on a match day and while I was there, of course, I had to buy myself a programme and a scarf!

Then I spoke to Kaspar Wimberley, who coaches the Jersey Wanderers’ girls U12s and U13s teams. He, along with the rest of the team, were present selling homemade cakes, sandwiches and drinks to raise money for the team to travel to Sweden this summer to take part in the Gothia Cup, which is the largest youth football tournament in the world. Kaspar and the team will continue to fundraise at Bulls home fixtures, so please do donate to the Jersey Wanderers team where you can.

Throughout a match day and the week, Lauren Trachy runs the club’s social media channels and digital marketing. The updates are excellent and help people like myself keep up to date with the matches when I’m away and unable to make them. The added pitch-side photography content that goes with it is also great.

As kick-off got closer, there was an increased atmosphere around the FanZone, with plenty of music and buzz around the place. The kids were loving it as club mascot Beany the Bull made an appearance just before the players emerged. Everyone who came made an afternoon of it and had a good time.

Then, onto the game. It was a brisk late afternoon under the sunset and, after a quiet first-half, the woodwork came to Jersey’s rescue early in the second half. Tensions livened up but the Bulls could not quite find a way through, not aided by a late sending off for goalkeeper Pierce Roche. In the end the game finished goalless, but to round off the day, striker Lorne Bickley was presented with an award for his 100th Bulls appearance in hospitality after the match.

The match day experience was excellent and thoroughly enjoyable, which would not have been possible without the work of the fantastic club volunteers who ensure the hundreds of supporters make the most of their afternoon. I hope my next visit won’t be too long – continue to Back the Bulls!