PLANS for St Paul’s Football Club to use AFC Bournemouth as a development route for their players with identified potential are expected to be finalised later this month.
The Saints already have Jack Cannon on the books of the League Two club while striker Brett Pitman (16) is spending time with the south-coast club this week.
Saints development officer Sam Cannon said: ‘Bournemouth U16s and U18s will be in Jersey on 21 and 22 July to play two games and I expect the link to be finalised.
As a Charter Standard club we are always looking at development and boys getting the chance to play off the Island can only help improve standards.’ Cannon junior, who has just completed his first year at the club, won the U17s league title with the Cherries while also playing nine matches for the U19s and a further eight for the reserves.
Because of the restructuring of academy football, Cannon has one year left on his contract now and not two because the last junior age-group is now U18s as against U19s last season.
Both Bournemouth matches in Jersey will be played at the IJ Bathe Field in St Saviour.
Jersey’s U18s will play Bournemouth U16s on 21 July while the following evening St Paul’s first-team will oppose Bournemouth U18s.
Sam Cannon said: ‘Bournemouth played two games here last season and they enjoyed it.
Hopefully we can make it an annual event.
We’ve had some excellent sponsorship for the trip and St Paul’s FC would like to thank everyone involved.’ Aurigny Air Services, Brenwall Limited, the JFA, Blue Soleil Camping, Tantivy and St Paul’s FC are all assisting with Bournemouth’s travel.
No football will be played at St Paul’s Clos des Pauvres ground in St Saviour next season because of redevelopment.
The club have purchased a third field, the one west behind the current two, and it will be levelled out with pitches for mini football.
The current training space is to be replaced by a 60m x 40m astroturf surface and a road will run up one side of the three areas together with the car park being redeveloped.
Cannon added: ‘Again St Paul’s are grateful to their sponsors, GdeZ and Brenwall Ltd.
What they are doing for the club is nothing short of remarkable.
We should be back playing at St Saviour for the start of next season.
Our minis will vacate Grainville School where they are currently coached but we will continue to have an association with the school because they are a Charter Standard school and St Paul’s is an development route for their students - boys and girls.’
Article posted on 9th July, 2004 - 12.00am
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