Gordon States his case
And Luke Campbell is relishing playing in front of hundreds rather than a handful as Jersey Bulls bid to storm the English pyramid with a Scotsman leading the charge.
Of the 52 divisions that make up the top 10 tiers of English football only Jersey – in their first season – have won every league game.
All the more remarkable given they’re based on an island 85 miles off the coast and every second Saturday sees them board a flight for an away game in Combined Counties League Division One.
Rutherglen-born Campbell, together with his late mum Ann, swapped East Kilbride for the Channel Island when he was eight.
Dennis Bergkamp’s fear of flying infamously cued chaos whenever Arsenal were playing on the continent although it’s a potential obstacle few would expect in the 10th tier.
But Campbell, a quantity surveyor in Saint Helier when he is isn’t playing centre-half, said: “We have to be at the airport for roughly 7.30am every time we travel.
“We usually fly into Gatwick or Southend, get a bit of breakfast there then get the coach. Whatever ground we’re playing at, it is usually about an hour or two away.
“There are no Bergkamps! There are a few nervous fliers but it has never been that bad where they’ve refused to get on a flight.
“We have had one situation where a player turned up to the airport and had left his ID at home so he missed that game.
“We had a match just af ter Christmas against Farnham who are second in the league.
“We were delayed going out from Jersey but thankfully Farnham agreed to put the kick-off time back an hour.
“We were getting changed into our kit on the coach, the manager was giving the team talk then we ran off the coach straight on to the pitch.
“As soon as the final whistle went, we were back on to the coach in our kit, all muddy, then straight back to the airport. That was fun and challenging but a good experience.
“Luckily we managed to get the win!
“I don’t think the novelty has faded at all. You do pinch yourself, going away, doing the travelling. It creates a bit of camaraderie.”
It’s all the more remarkable given the Bulls pick up the tab for visiting teams – their first home game against Ash United cost them north of £5500.
Campbell, who counts Jersey Wanderers, Jersey Scottish and St Peter among former clubs, said: “Locally, the teams probably get 15, 20 people
Hampshire p i t ch w a s f looded out. Even LiverpoolL have failed to keep up a f lawless record but Campbel l said:s “It’s surreal to be honest.
“It is on a different end of the scale asa Liverpool are the best team in thet world. But it is nice to be mentionedm in the same breath.”
His 84-year- old nan Elizabeth, whow still lives in East Kilbride, has alreadya been over to watch him and hish nephew Sol Solomon who also playsp for the Bulls.
Now the Rangers fan is hoping she won’t be the last visitor with the club keen to get Scottish clubs over in pre-season.
Should Rangers swap Dubai for the Channel Island, Campbell, speaking before Wednesday night’s Europa League triumph in Portugal, said: “That would be amazing.
“If we played Rangers’ first team now they would give us an absolute hiding. Saying that, they have been playing s***e lately!
“To get any professional team over to do a camp or for us to have a game with them would be great.
“My nan has been over a couple of times. She has bought the shirt and is always phoning asking how we got on,
“September time she came over and had pictures with all the team and the mascot, who is dressed as a bull. She’s off her head, she loves it.”
New Hibs owner Ron Gordon has met with two of America’s sporting giants for tips on how to help the club hit new heights.
The US businessman unveiled his vision for the Easter Road club to shareholders at their AGM last week. The banking and me d i a m o g u l believes there are lessons to be learned from the sporting culture in the US. Gordon has discussed ideas with i ce hocke y g iant s Washington Capitals and three-time NBA champs the Miami Heat.
He sa id: “There a re def initely things we can learn from other sports in the way we sell tickets, the way we promote players. “You have a conversation and you may get one nugget you can adapt. I have met
Rangers would give us a hiding ... to get any pro team over to do a camp or for a game would be great
w ith mul t i p l e sports organisations.
“For example, I met with the head of seating at the Miami Heat – a phenomenal franchise.
“They have dynamic pricing, which we don’t have. It would be a little bit aggressive for Scotland
“They have 4 0 pr ice categories depending on who they are playing, the day of the game, the start time, where you sit.
“Here we have one regulation. We’re seeing how we can massage that.
“But sitting with them and seeing how they operate was a learning experience.”
Gordon has vowed to double Hibs’ turnover by 2025 and their player budget by 2023.
He said: “To execute it, it’s long-term, it’s not going to happen straight away, it’s a process.
“I’m absolutely here to see it through. This is not a quick investment. You need to be in it for the long-term.”