Jimmy Perchard's passion for cricket began in 1977 when local farmers on the island arranged friendly matches during the busier summer periods on nearby fields.

After play they would share a drink and remark how good it would be to have their own dedicated cricket ground.

Perchard obtained planning consent in 2003 to lay a pitch on his land and the first ball was delivered there two years later.

He observed that sometimes a person must take a chance and that owning the field next to his house put him in a fortunate position to realise the ambition.

The Farmers Cricket Ground drew ideas from English venues visited on tour such as Goodwood Arundel and Wormsley.

What began modestly soon turned into a genuine labour of love for Jimmy.

At first there was only a small portable cabin and no pavilion so players changed in their cars and brewed tea inside the cabin.

Additional planning approval later allowed picket fencing proper boundary features and sight screens to be installed.

Sponsorship helped the project grow and small improvements are still made each year.

Charles grew up with the ground at the bottom of his garden made his debut in 2010 assumed the captaincy in 2017 and said leading the side onto the field gave him goosebumps.

Seeing his father watching from the boundary with the whole family present created a truly special moment.

Jimmy said he takes pride in the facility yet the fact that Charles nicknamed Chuggy has performed so well for Jersey fills the family with extra pride.

Charles's brother shares the same keen interest in cricket and as boys the pair spent every spare daylight hour playing together.

Jimmy joined their games until the youngsters began to beat him and then preferred to play without him.

Jersey currently sits 29th in the ICC T20 global rankings.

The side narrowly missed qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup on net run rate after defeating Scotland and losing a close contest to the Netherlands.

They remain on the qualification route having progressed from the recent Sub Regional Europe Qualifier in Cyprus and will contest the final stage next year in pursuit of the 2028 T20 World Cup.

Charles noted that many members of the present national team have come through the Farmers pathway.

He believes the ground has played a major role in developing talent on the island and that thanks are owed to his father and the club for supporting young players.