Madeira FC have continued to develop on and off the pitch. On it, they are a team which is full of technical ability, speed and hard work. Off it, they are a family. They are one group of people who are relishing doing something they love, all whilst representing the place they all love so much, Madeira.
Last weekend was arguably their biggest result in their history, beating Premiership side St Clement 1-0 in the semi-final of the JFA Cup, setting up a final with another top tier side in St Brelade. It is as big a ‘cupset’ you are likely to see for a while in Jersey, in terms of league status, anyway.
One of the work horses and ever presents in the side is Joao Sousa. Dan sat down with him about what life is like at Madeira FC at the moment.
How much are you enjoying being part of this Madeira FC squad?
I am really enjoying my time at Madeira FC because nothing feels better then playing for a team that represents home. My team mates are great bunch of lads and we have all developed a brotherly love for each other on and off the pitch.
How good is it to have a team in Jersey which represents Madeira?
It’s amazing to have a team that represents home because there is so many Portuguese and Madeiran people on the island, so achieving as much as we can with our island emblem on our kit is just amazing.
How has this season been going?
The league is going very well and we have been on a winning streak in our division. We have managed to reach and fight for the final against St Brelade in the JFA cup. We have worked hard to show how capable we are and are now performing well against the top teams.
How confident are you to get promotion?
We are taking each game as it comes, working hard every training session and every game to be able to get the promotion. My team mates are all focused by improving every training session so if we keep focused and keep on working hard I’m pretty sure we will get promoted.
How proud are you all to beat St Clement?
The team are all buzzing after the win against St Clement. We knew that it wasn’t going to be an easy game because St Clement are one of the top teams in Jersey but we went into the game hungry and left everything on the pitch, and we worked hard for 95 minutes and managed to secure the win.
How good would it be to win the JFA Cup?
It would be an amazing feeling to be able to lift the cup after the final against St Brelade. It would be amazing to do it for our island and also the Portuguese community in Jersey.
Madeira FC face Sports Club Of Jersey in another mouth-watering cup tie, this time in Quarter Final of the JFA Bowl at Les Quennevais tomorrow.
