THE working party set up to review the Jersey Football Association’s structure is to hold an open forum next month.

Said party chairman Steve Meiklejohn: ‘We want people to express their views.

Football appears to be at a cross-roads and now is a good time to get together and talk about it.’ Under his chairmanship, Charlie Tostevin, Tim Darwin, Phil Austin, Sunderland chairman Bob Murray and Derek de la Haye, representing Education, Sport and Culture, have been reviewing the JFA’s structure, since September, looking at its objectives, responsibilities, personnel, funding, inter-relationship with other bodies and its business plan.

Meiklejohn said: ‘We’ve had four meetings and a considerable amount of documentation has already been reviewed.

We are moving towards making recommendations but first we want to listen to the views of people who have an opinion on football in Jersey and particularly on how it should move forward.

‘Rugby has and cricket is about to make changes to their sport.

There is a conspicuous lack of that with football.

Our thoughts are for the senior representative level.

The Island, we feel, needs a focus and we are again exploring outside operations including corresponding with FIFA and UEFA.

‘It is not for the working party to make decisions, it is for us to make contact and tell the JFA what is available to them.

Our findings will be signposted and forwarded to the JFA for them to take on board.’ Former Muratti player Ricky Weir, who called for changes in football last week, said: ‘An open forum is a fantastic idea.

I shall be attending and taking notes and it will be interesting to see the turn out.

‘The more opinions and views given the better.

Let the people talk, let them show that they have a voice.

‘The calibre of this working party group is excellent, its a great start for the future and I hope people support the meeting.’ A date and venue has yet to be finalised for the meeting, when the working party will briefly set out the position they have reached and then invite comment and thoughts on the way forward from those attending.

People wishing to attend the forum are requested to register their interest by writing to Steve Meiklejohn, Whiteley Chambers, Don Street, St Helier, JE4 9WG; telephone 504462 or e-mail steven.meiklejohn@ogier.com