SOUTHAMPTON FC and the Jersey Football Association’s Centre of Excellence have signed an official partnership.

Both parties rubber-stamped their official coming together last night at Les Quennevais.

Both stand to benefit – Jersey’s Centre of Excellence by way of an annual game away and their coaches having in-service coaching with the South coast clubs coaches.

Southampton, of course, will be right at hand should a good prospect emerge from the Centre.

COE director Dave Kennedy said: ‘Everything previously has been achieved verbally, this contract has been drawn up with both parties benefiting.

‘Southampton’s Academy is well recognised for their good practice and we are delighted to be joining up with them officially.

‘Their coaches will deliver one in-service session a year to our players and coaches while there will also be an opportunity for our coaches to have training and further coaching away.

‘Another excellent aspect is that if a player gets the opportunity to go away they will commit the registration to the end of that person’s education.

That doesn’t happen with a lot of clubs so this really is an excellent move.

‘There will be a lot of flexibility too, obviously if a player is not happy then he will be allowed to move on.

Players who spend just one year at a professional club tend to return having lost a lot of confidence and this has been put in to help alleviate that.’ Southampton Academy director Matthew Crocker, who joined the Saints in June after 12 months with the Football League and seven previously at Cardiff City’s junior Academy, said: ‘It’s a good relationship for the Centre and Southampton Football Club, both have done of lot of work in the past and we’re hopeful the area will produce players.

‘It’s just a short flight away too so it’s good for the community as well.

Southampton are pleased to have this association with the JFA, who we believe are run very professionally.

‘All these factors from our club’s point of view are important from the chairman down.

This is my second visit to the Island and now the time is right for the partnership and I hope it’s of benefit to all parties.’ Football development officer Brian Oliver said: ‘We have had an excellent relationship with Southampton in recent years and we are formalising an agreement which is applicable to both parties.

‘We are not a satellite for Southampton FC, this is purely about them being pro-active at this time and we are building on what we have at present.

‘Half a dozen players in recent years have or are still benefiting from our link while several years ago a Jersey U18 team played against an Academy side.

‘Southampton have been fantastic in assisting us as much as they possibly can to assist us with our Centre of Excellence programme that we provide.

‘They have a good track record for developing players in the country and lots of the players who go through their system stay in the professional game.

‘We fall into their catchment area and all we are doing is providing a pathway for our players to make a career if they have the ability.’