Latest news with #Whyteleafe
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Non-league team handed league title despite finishing THIRD… a whole month after season finished
The club's manager has spoken about the turn of events WHY IS THAT? Non-league team handed league title despite finishing THIRD… a whole month after season finished Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A NON-LEAGUE team has been handed their league title despite a third-place finish. Despite all the money and talent in the Premier League and EFL the Combined Counties South Premier League has been more dramatic. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 AFC Whyteleafe have been named winners of the Combined Counties South Premier League Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The league ended on April 22, over a month ago, but it was not yet known who had won the league. Jersey Bulls and Redhill lead the table and were only separated on goal difference. But it was neither of these sides that would enjoy a title celebration. That honour instead has gone to third-placed AFC Whyteleafe due to rule-breaks. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL SOLD TRAFFORD Man Utd put every star up for sale as cup loss leaves 'em in financial ruin Both Jersey Bulls and Redhill were docked three points for fielding ineligible players. Jersey were top with 96 points but played a player who should have been suspended on March 20 in the 4-0 victory over Tooting and Mitcham United. As a result, this catapulted the Surrey side with only 95 points to top spot and promotion to the eighth-tier Isthmian League Division One South East. Jersey and Redhill now have to settle for a place in the play-offs and will face Fleet Town and Cobham, respectively. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Whyteleafe boss Kelly Waters has spoken about the surprising turn of events. He admitted that he felt for Jersey and Redhill, having gone through it himself in the past. Every Premier League club's most famous and also most surprising fan Whyteleafe's promotion statement Here is the statement that was shared by Whyteleafe on social media followinf their promotion... It read: "AND, JUST LIKE THAT…. "We say farewell to the Combined Counties South Premier League and (finally) farewell to the end of the 24/25 season. "We've thoroughly enjoyed ourselves this season, taking part in one of the most talked about and evenly contested battles for the title (at this level) in the country. "We've built friendships and relationships with clubs, staff, management, players and fans in this league that will last a long, long time. "We'd like to think that, we played our part in bringing some attention to this excellent league and the amazing clubs in it. "We accept the way we did things at times may of upset one or two. But, we got people talking and piqued people's interest and hopefully, encouraged people to come to games to see what all the fuss was about! "We hope the issues that have tainted the end of the season will be remedied by the FA and League as, the teams in this league deserve so much better. "We wish the teams in the play offs the very best of luck, we know how hard this has been for everyone. "And to all the teams, we wish you all the best for the future and look forward to meeting you soon (hopefully at a higher level!). "Thanks for having us." He told the BBC: "I feel great that we've been crowned champions and been promoted to Step Four, but at the same time it's a very strange way to go about it. "I feel quite sorry for Jersey and Redhill in the situation that they've had, I've experienced it myself before when I was managing at Balham and it's painful. "But they have to enforce the rules to make sure people don't use them inappropriately and in the end we've been a beneficiary of that and we couldn't be happier to be back in Step Four." Whyteleafe is a phoenix club of Whyteleafe FC, which folded back in 2021. The current version was formed by Waters, who acts as the chairman and co-manager. The club did reach the final of the FA Vase this season but were beaten 2-1 by Whitstable Town.
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Non-league team handed league title despite finishing THIRD… a whole month after season finished
A NON-LEAGUE team has been handed their league title despite a third-place finish. Despite all the money and talent in the Premier League and EFL the Combined Counties South Premier League has been more dramatic. 2 AFC Whyteleafe have been named winners of the Combined Counties South Premier League Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The league ended on April 22, over a month ago, but it was not yet known who had won the league. Jersey Bulls and Redhill lead the table and were only separated on goal difference. But it was neither of these sides that would enjoy a title celebration. That honour instead has gone to third-placed AFC Whyteleafe due to rule-breaks. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL Both Jersey Bulls and Redhill were docked three points for fielding ineligible players. Jersey were top with 96 points but played a player who should have been suspended on March 20 in the 4-0 victory over Tooting and Mitcham United. As a result, this catapulted the Surrey side with only 95 points to top spot and promotion to the eighth-tier Isthmian League Division One South East. Jersey and Redhill now have to settle for a place in the play-offs and will face Fleet Town and Cobham, respectively. Most read in Football JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Whyteleafe boss Kelly Waters has spoken about the surprising turn of events. He admitted that he felt for Jersey and Redhill, having gone through it himself in the past. Every Premier League club's most famous and also most surprising fan Whyteleafe's promotion statement Here is the statement that was shared by Whyteleafe on social media followinf their promotion... It "We say farewell to the Combined Counties South Premier League and (finally) farewell to the end of the 24/25 season. "We've thoroughly enjoyed ourselves this season, taking part in one of the most talked about and evenly contested battles for the title (at this level) in the country. "We've built friendships and relationships with clubs, staff, management, players and fans in this league that will last a long, long time. "We'd like to think that, we played our part in bringing some attention to this excellent league and the amazing clubs in it. "We accept the way we did things at times may of upset one or two. But, we got people talking and piqued people's interest and hopefully, encouraged people to come to games to see what all the fuss was about! "We hope the issues that have tainted the end of the season will be remedied by the FA and League as, the teams in this league deserve so much better. "We wish the teams in the play offs the very best of luck, we know how hard this has been for everyone. "And to all the teams, we wish you all the best for the future and look forward to meeting you soon (hopefully at a higher level!). "Thanks for having us." He told the BBC: "I feel great that we've been crowned champions and been promoted to Step Four, but at the same time it's a very strange way to go about it. "I feel quite sorry for Jersey and Redhill in the situation that they've had, I've experienced it myself before when I was managing at Balham and it's painful. "But they have to enforce the rules to make sure people don't use them inappropriately and in the end we've been a beneficiary of that and we couldn't be happier to be back in Step Four." Whyteleafe is a phoenix club of Whyteleafe FC, which folded back in 2021. The current version was formed by Waters, who acts as the chairman and co-manager. The club did reach the final of the FA Vase this season but were beaten 2-1 by Whitstable Town. 2 Whyteleafe lost to Whitstable Town in the FA Vase final Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
BBC News
19-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Jersey Bulls end season with win after title disappointment
Jersey Bulls ended the season with a 1-0 win over Sandhurst Town as they wait to see if they will enter the Combined Counties Premier South the island side will end the campaign with the best record in the league, they are unlikely to be promoted having been docked three points after fielding an ineligible player last they do not appeal the decision, or an appeal is unsuccessful, they will finish the season in third are set to be champions after a goal in the third minute of second-half stoppage time saw them win 1-0 at Guildford Whyteleafe are likely to end the season in second position after winning 2-0 at Fleet Town. It means the islanders are set to face fourth-placed Cobham in the play-offs, with the winners meeting either Whyteleafe or Fleet Town in the final. Bulls tried to put the disappointment of the previous 24 hours behind them as they came out to their highest attendance of the at Springfield, who had been there anticipating a league title celebration before their points deduction, saw few clear cut first-half chances despite the islanders having the better of the play. Karl Hinds had a shot deflected wide while Luke Campbell went close with a header from a corner shortly before half time as Jonny Le Quesne's follow-up was saved. Campbell went close from a Fraser Barlow free kick 10 minutes after the restart while Luke Watson headed a Barlow delivery against the post five minutes the deadlock was broken soon after as Lorne Bickley broke through, and while goalkeeper Harry White saved his effort, Joe Kilshaw was there to slam home the rebound. Goalkeeper Piers Roche did well to deny Sandhurst with 19 minutes to go before Bulls had a series of chances in stoppage islanders hit the post before Bickley brought two excellent close-range saves from White while Francis Lekimamati hit the bar. But while Bulls earned their 30th victory of the season, it was Redhill who were celebrating as they look to have won the title.
BBC News
18-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Jersey Bulls title hopes in balance after points deduction
Jersey Bulls' hopes of winning the Combined Counties Premier South title have been hit after the club was docked points for fielding an ineligible islanders have had three points deducted and fined £120 for playing a player who should have been suspended in their 4-0 win over Tooting and Mitcham United on 20 Ritzema had passed the threshold for a suspension after picking up too many yellow deduction drops the island side from first to third in the table ahead of their final game of the season on Saturday. A win in that game against Sandhurst Town would have seen the Bulls clinch the title and automatic promotion into the Isthmian deduction means they have 90 points, two behind second-placed Whyteleafe and three off Redhill who are now could still win the title if they win and Redhill were to lose their final game of the season to mid-table Guildford City along with Whyteleafe drawing or losing at fifth-placed Fleet they finish second or third they would have a home tie in the play-offs, with the teams ranked second to fifth facing one another for the second promotion place."Administrative staff at Jersey Bulls FC realised an error had been made and reported it to the League and Jersey FA immediately," the club said in a statement."Despite efforts to set out the significant mitigation the decision based on the lack of clarity on the number of yellow cards, the Combined Counties League have confirmed the three-point deduction."As the club considers it's options, we'd like to apologise to our amazing players and coaching staff, and ask that our fantastic supporters rally behind the team at this crucial stage of the season."
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Jersey Bulls boss confident his side can win title
Jersey Bulls manager Elliot Powell is confident his side can win the Combined Counties Premier South know victory over relegation-threatened Sandhurst Town at Springfield on Saturday would almost certainly be enough to become are level on points with second-placed Redhill, but their goal difference means their rivals would have to win their final game by 21 goals more than the islanders to take the both teams slip up, third-placed Whyteleafe could win the title - they are just one point behind. "In terms of achieving what we set out at the start of the season, this gives us the opportunity on the pitch at the first time of asking," Powell told BBC Radio Jersey"It's an important day for the club, we've been looking for promotion from this level for about four seasons now, so for us to have that opportunity in our hands on Saturday is one that we need to take."Only the champions will earn promotion to the eighth tier of English football, with the next four sides in play-offs for the second promotion were beaten in the play-off semi-finals last season, but Powell hopes they can build on their midweek win over Abbey Rangers after losing 2-1 at home to Redhill last week."They need to play the game, not the occasion. I know that's a cliche but our lads have been really good at it all season," added Powell."We play the opposition in front of us, especially here at Springfield. "We've lost a couple, to Redhill and Whyteleafe, but largely we've been pretty dominant here, and even in those games we should have taken something out of both of them."We've got a way of playing down here, the home support definitely helps that, and fingers crossed everything goes to plan on Saturday." Powell took over as Bulls manager in the summer from Gary Freeman, who had led the island side since they were formed in 2019. Despite only being 27, he came to the club with a strong record in local guided St Peter to the island's domestic title and led Jersey's representative team to gold at the 2023 Island Games and victory in the 2024 Muratti has continued that form as Bulls boss, losing just two league games, to Redhill and Whyteleafe, and once in the FA Vase to Whitstable Town - who have gone on to reach the final at Wembley. He says victory on Saturday will be comparable to any achievement he has had s a coach."That Island Games is always going to be pretty special, certainly the outpouring of of emotion on the pitch after the game was something I don't think we'll experience again," he said. "But I'm pretty sure Saturday we'll get pretty close."It's going to mean an awful lot to the fans and the club if we can get over the line on Saturday."
