First Tower United F.C.

First Tower United F.C. is a football club based on the Channel Island of Jersey. They are affiliated to the Jersey Football Association and play in the Jersey Football Combination Premiership. Their home ground is La Hague Manor and the club plays in white and blue. They are the second most successful club in the island after Jersey Wanderers, having won the Jersey League 19 times.

First Tower United
Full nameFirst Tower United Football Club
GroundLa Hague Manor, St. Peter
LeagueJersey Football Combination Championship
2013–141st/9 (prohibited from promotion)
WebsiteClub website

History

The club was founded in 1920[1] and won their first championship in 1927. This entitled them to take on the winners of the Guernsey Priaulx League, Northerners A.C. in the Upton Park Trophy, though they lost 1–0. They won the championship again in 1929 and this time followed it up by winning the Upton Park Trophy, beating Northerners 2–1 after extra time. The club won back-to-back championships in 1937 and 1938, and won the trophy again in 1938. Another double was completed in 1959, and another championship, but no trophy, in 1966.

The 1968–69 season marked the start of a golden age for the club. The championship was won again in 1969 (though the trophy final ended in defeat), with the same result in the 1969–70 season. Following a year without a trophy, the club won seven consecutive championships from 1972 until 1978, doing the double on five occasions. This period of success coincided with steel magnate, and later owner of Blackburn Rovers, Jack Walker becoming a patron of the club in 1975, following a conversation with his postman.[2] Financial input from Walker meant the club were consistently the best in Jersey, but did not have their own ground. Seven years after becoming involved with the club, Walker bought La Hague Manor for £1.2 million, leasing it back to St George's Preparatory School on the condition that part of the site was developed into a new stadium for the club.[2] Walker was later made an Honorary Life Vice President of the club.

The club won back-to-back championships in 1983 and 1984 and again in 1994 and 1995, also winning the trophy on each occasion. However, the 1995 trophy win has been their last honour to date.

Between 1978 and 1998 the club also played in the FA Vase, a competition for Non-League football clubs in England, though they never made it past the third round.[3]

The club suffered a first top flight relegation in its history, with mathematical relegation confirmed with a 4–0 defeat at the hands of Jersey Scottish on Tuesday 26 February 2008.[4] That was the club's twelfth defeat in twelve league games, and meant that La Hague Manor hosted Division Two football for the first time in the 2008–09 season.

After one season in Division 1, First Tower Utd FC was promoted to Jersey's Premier League in 2009.

Current teams

First Tower United have two men's teams and a ladies' team in the Jersey Football Combination. They also have a number of junior boys and girls teams ranging from Under-10 to Under-18.

Stadium

The club's home is in the grounds of La Hague Manor, which is also the site of St George's Preparatory School, in the parish of St Peter. The pitch is lined on one side by a stand that can accommodate just under 80 people. On the opposite side of the pitch stand the two team dugouts, with a training and warm-up area located behind this with floodlights. Towards the corner of the complex are the changing rooms, club house and car park. The achievements and glories of the club's past adorn the walls of the clubhouse reflecting the club's rich history.

Players and coaching staff
Name Position
Luke Bechelet Goalkeeper
Luca Caviglioni Goalkeeper
Daniel Kitchen Goalkeeper
Jamie Hazely Defender
Peter Gough Defender
Aaron Vetier Defender
Andrew Dewhurst Defender
Rob Cameron Defender
Gavin Toudic Defender
Daniel Huelin Defender
Ben Rowlinson Midfielder
Adam Lester Midfielder
Michael Le Turgeon Midfielder
Blake Applegate Midfielder
Aaron Gouvea Forward
Stewart Danes Forward
Kieran Lester Forward
Name Role
Geoff Liron President
Kerry Petulla Secretary
Chad Morris 1st Team Manager
Bob Kearsey 1st Team Assistant
Paul Skelley 1st Team Assistant
Adrian Deverill Reserve Team Manager
Simon Petulla Under 18 Manager & Vice President
Simon Lester Mini's footballers & Junior Secretary
Peter Rio Officials First Choice Award

Honours
  • Jersey Football Combination
    • Champions 1926–27, 1928–29, 1936–37, 1937–38, 1958–59, 1965–66, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1993–94, 1994–95
  • Upton Park Trophy
    • Winners 1929, 1938, 1959, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1994, 1995
    • Runners-up 1927, 1937, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1974, 1976
gollark: Did I just die to a *sandbag* in helloboimud™?
gollark: BEE YOU.
gollark: It actually does.
gollark: WHYJIT.
gollark: Also, it isn't a language.

References
  1. First Tower Utd BBC
  2. JACK WALKER: Jersey League side made a Tower of strength Lancashire Telegraph, 18 August 2000
  3. First Tower United Football Club History Database
  4. BBC SPORT | Football | Relegation for First Tower United

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