Peter Vincenti

Peter Ian Vincenti (born 7 July 1986) is a Jèrriais professional footballer who plays for Jersey Football Combination club St. Peter. He primarily plays as a winger, although he has also been deployed in attacking midfield and as a forward. Vincenti is the vice-chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA).

Vincenti began his career as a youth player for First Tower United, where he played for one year before moving to his hometown club St. Peter, where he spent two years. Vincenti joined Millwall on a short-term contract following a successful trial. However, he did not to break into the first team and left the club when his contract expired in January 2008. He subsequently signed for Stevenage Borough the same month, and was part of the team that won the FA Trophy at Wembley Stadium during the 2008–09 season. The following season, he helped the club earn promotion to the Football League by winning the Conference Premier title. In October 2010, Vincenti joined Conference Premier club Mansfield Town on an initial three-month loan.

Following the loan, Vincenti signed for Aldershot Town, where he spent two and a half years and made 117 appearances. In May 2013, Vincenti signed for League Two club Rochdale and helped the club achieve promotion to League One in his first season. After four seasons at Rochdale, Vincenti joined League Two club Coventry City in July 2017, winning promotion to League One via the play-offs during his one season there. In August 2018, Vincenti was released from his contract and joined newly promoted League Two club Macclesfield Town. Vincenti was loaned to National League North club Hereford in September 2019 for three months. He left Macclesfield when his contract expired and rejoined his first club, St. Peter, in September 2020. Vincenti has also represented the Jersey national team, having played at the Island Games in 2007.

Early life

Vincenti was born in Saint Peter, Jersey. His father, also named Peter Vincenti, played as a midfielder and later managed the Jersey national football team. Despite his father's involvement in football, Vincenti stated his parents were "never obsessive" about him playing and placed greater emphasis on the importance of education. He studied Business Studies at Liverpool Hope University prior to beginning his professional football career. He later earned a master's degree in Business Administration from the Open University.

Club career

Early career

Vincenti was a product of the Jersey Football Association's centre of excellence, and began his football career as a youth player at First Tower United juniors before moving to his local team, St. Peter. He progressed into the first team at St. Peter, playing on a part-time basis. He was the top goalscorer for Jersey at the Island Games, held in Rhodes in June 2007. Vincenti was subsequently named Jersey Footballer of the Year in 2007. After graduating from Liverpool Hope University, during which he played only socially for the university's second team, Vincenti had planned to move to Dublin to pursue a career in finance. Brian Foulser, the academy director at St. Peter, had contacts at English club Millwall and arranged a trial for Vincenti in July 2007. He played in three pre-season friendlies for the club, against Tooting & Mitcham United, Kingstonian, and Sutton United, and earned a four-month contract that ran until December 2007. Vincenti did not make a first-team appearance for Millwall, making the substitutes' bench once in a League One match against Swindon Town.

Stevenage

When his contract at Millwall expired, Vincenti joined Stevenage Borough on a free transfer on 4 January 2008. He made his debut for the club in a 5–0 victory over Droylsden on 19 January 2008. Five days later, on 24 January 2008, he signed a contract extension until 2010, having impressed manager Peter Taylor. Vincenti made 12 appearances for Stevenage towards the latter stages of the club's 2007–08 season, scoring his first goal for the club in a 3–1 win against Crawley Town on 1 March 2008. He was transfer-listed following the reappointment of Graham Westley as manager in May 2008.

After Stevenage began the 2008–09 season by losing three out of their first four opening matches, conceding 13 goals in the process, Vincenti made his first appearance in the club's fifth game, a 1–1 draw with Crawley Town. Vincenti's return to the first team coincided with an upturn in form, and he was removed from the transfer list by Westley in September 2008. He scored the winning goal against Stevenage's rivals Woking on 1 November 2008, scoring from 25 yards in a 1–0 away victory. Vincenti also scored the only goal of the game with the final kick in the second leg of the FA Trophy semi-final against Ebbsfleet United on 21 March 2009. The win secured Stevenage's place in the final at Wembley Stadium, which Vincenti started, as Stevenage defeated York City 2–0. In doing so, he became the first player from the Channel Islands to appear in a competitive match at the new Wembley Stadium. Vincenti made 31 appearances during his first full season with the club, scoring four goals.

Before the start of the 2009–10 season, Vincenti was loaned to Conference South club Woking on a three-month deal after playing in a trial match for the club. The following day, Stevenage played out a 0–0 draw with Woking in their final pre-season fixture, and despite having joined the latter on loan, Vincenti played for his parent club. Shortly after the match, Westley concluded he could not afford to release Vincenti, and the loan agreement was cancelled. Vincenti played in five of the first six matches of the season, all of which as a substitute, and started the following game against Histon on 31 August 2009, during which he was sent off in the sixth minute for violent conduct. In October 2009, he came on as a substitute to score a 94th-minute winner in the FA Cup against Chelmsford City. Vincenti made 26 appearances in all competitions that season, as Stevenage earned promotion to the Football League for the first time in the club's history.

He started in Stevenage's first Football League match, a 2–2 draw against Macclesfield Town on 7 August 2010, scoring the club's first-ever goal in the Football League in the sixth minute by heading in Charlie Griffin's cross from close-range. His goal was also the first goal of the 2010–11 League Two season. During his three years at Stevenage, Vincenti scored seven times in 77 appearances. In October 2010, Vincenti joined Conference Premier club Mansfield Town on an initial three-month loan, with a view to the agreement being made permanent in January 2011. He made his Mansfield debut in the club's 4–1 home defeat to Crawley Town, playing 75 minutes before being substituted. Vincenti made four appearances during the loan spell.

Aldershot Town

Vincenti signed for Aldershot Town on a free transfer on 14 January 2011, joining the League Two club on an 18-month contract. He was Dean Holdsworth's first signing for Aldershot, with Vincenti having previously played under Dean's brother, David, at Mansfield Town. He made his debut for Aldershot on 15 January 2011, playing 78 minutes in the club's 1–1 away draw at Bury. Vincenti scored his first goal for Aldershot a week later in a 3–2 home victory against Crewe Alexandra. He scored two goals within the space of a week in February 2011, scoring a late equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Northampton Town, followed by a consolation strike in a 2–1 home loss to Port Vale. Vincenti scored six goals in 22 appearances for Aldershot during the season, as the club finished 14th in League Two.

He remained at Aldershot for the 2011–12 season and scored his first goal of the season on 13 September 2011, heading in Alex Rodman's cross to double Aldershot's lead in a 2–0 away win at Hereford United. A month later, Vincenti scored in a 5–2 win against Dagenham & Redbridge on 22 October 2011. It was his final goal for nearly five months, ending a 21-match goal drought when he scored from just inside the area in a 2–2 draw with Crawley Town on 13 March 2012. Vincenti signed a one-year contract extension with Aldershot on 30 March 2012, keeping him at the club until June 2013. Vincenti made 49 appearances during the season, scoring six goals.

His third season at Aldershot began with a 7–6 penalty shootout defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux in the League Cup on 11 August 2012, with Vincenti playing the full 90 minutes of the match. It took him 20 matches to register his first goal of the season, scoring with a 30-yard shot just before half-time in Aldershot's 3–2 FA Cup victory away at Fleetwood Town on 1 December 2012. Vincenti made 46 appearances in his final season with the club, as Aldershot were relegated back to the Conference Premier after finishing bottom of League Two. During two and a half years at the Hampshire club, he scored 15 goals in 117 appearances in all competitions.

Rochdale

Shortly after the end of the 2012–13 season, on 10 May 2013, Vincenti agreed to join League Two club Rochdale on a two-year deal, following the expiration of his contract at Aldershot on 1 July 2013. He made his Rochdale debut in the club's opening match of the 2013–14 season, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3–0 win over Hartlepool United at Spotland on 3 August 2013. He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win against Newport County on 12 October 2013, with "a stunning 30-yard strike". Vincenti also scored the opening goal of the match in a 2–0 victory against Cheltenham Town on 26 April 2014, a result that secured the club's promotion to League One after finishing in second place in League Two. Vincenti was a regular starter throughout the season, making 49 appearances and scoring seven goals in his first season with the club. Following the conclusion of the season, on 30 June 2014, Vincenti signed a contract extension until 2016.

He started the 2014–15 season by scoring four goals in the opening month, including two goals in a 4–0 away victory at Crawley Town on 6 September 2014. Vincenti's first-half goal in a 1–1 draw with Gillingham on 18 October 2014 would serve as the catalyst for one of the player's most prolific goalscoring runs of his career. He scored seven times in the club's next nine matches, including a penalty in Rochdale's 1–0 FA Cup victory against Championship club Nottingham Forest on 3 January 2015. Vincenti scored 16 times in 44 appearances during the season, finishing as the club's second-highest goalscorer that season, as Rochdale consolidated their position in League One with an eighth-place finish.

Ahead of the 2015–16 season, on 15 July 2015, Vincenti signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2018. As in the previous season, Vincenti went on a run of scoring seven times within the space of nine matches, spanning from August to October 2015. The run earned him the EFL League One Player of the Month for October 2015. Following this early-season scoring streak, Vincenti did not score again for four months, ending this run when he came on as a second-half substitute to open the scoring in an eventual 2–0 victory over Sheffield United on 27 February 2016. He played 43 times during the season, scoring eight goals, as Rochdale finished outside the play-off positions, placing tenth in League One.

A recurring ankle injury limited Vincenti to just four appearances in the opening half of the 2016–17 season. He underwent ankle surgery in October 2016, with the club estimating a recovery period of up to four months. Vincenti returned to the first team on 21 January 2017, coming as a half-time substitute in Rochdale's 4–0 home defeat to Oxford United. He scored his only goal of the season in the club's 4–1 win over Gillingham on 18 March 2017. Vincenti made 16 appearances during the injury-disrupted season. During his four years at Rochdale, Vincenti scored 32 goals in 152 appearances, with the club gaining promotion and establishing themselves as a League One team during his time there.

Coventry City

Despite having a year remaining on his contract, Vincenti left Rochdale by mutual consent and signed a two-year contract with recently relegated League Two club Coventry City on 21 June 2017. Coventry manager Mark Robins cited Vincenti's versatility and experience as key factors in the decision to sign him. He made his debut in the club's opening match of the 2017–18 season, playing the full 90 minutes as Coventry in a 3–0 win against Notts County at the Ricoh Arena. Vincenti scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 home victory against Carlisle United on 12 September 2017. He played much of the season with an ankle injury, which Robins stated would require surgery in the summer. Vincenti made 29 appearances during his only season at Coventry, scoring three goals, as the club won promotion to League One via the play-offs.

Macclesfield Town

Vincenti was released from his contract at Coventry ahead of the 2018–19 season to join newly promoted League Two club Macclesfield Town on a two-year deal on 9 August 2018. He made his debut for Macclesfield on 1 September 2018, appearing as a 79th-minute substitute in a 3–0 away loss to Crewe Alexandra. Vincenti scored his first goal for Macclesfield in the club's 4–1 away defeat to Accrington Stanley in the EFL Trophy on 9 October 2018. He scored in a 2–1 victory over Carlisle United on 20 October 2018. Vincenti's 83rd-minute winning goal in the game ended Macclesfield's run of 36 consecutive Football League matches without a win, dating back to their previous spell in League Two in 2012, and prevented the club from setting a new record for the longest winless run in Football League history. The goal proved to be Vincenti's last of the season, and he did not appear for Macclesfield during the second half of the season. Vincenti made 19 appearances for the club, scoring twice.

Having not played first-team football for eight months, Vincenti joined National League North club Hereford on a loan deal until January, on 20 September 2019. A day later, he scored on his debut in a 5–2 home victory over Truro City in the FA Cup. He scored five times in 15 appearances during the loan agreement. Vincenti departed Macclesfield upon the expiry of his contract in June 2020.

Return to Jersey

Without a club at the start of the 2020–21 season, Vincenti returned to his hometown and began training with St. Peter, the club he first represented at senior level, in September 2020. He signed an initial short-term contract while seeking employment on the island. He made his second debut in St. Peter's 2–2 draw with St. Brelade's in the Wheway Memorial Trophy on 30 September 2020, which St. Peter ultimately won 8–7 in a penalty shootout. Vincenti made 17 appearances and scored four goals during the 2022–23 season, as St. Peter secured the Jersey Football Combination title, as well as the Upton Park Trophy. The following season, St. Peter won the Jeremie Cup and Wheway Memorial Trophy with Vincenti scoring once in 17 appearances.

International career

In March 2004, Vincenti represented Jersey's under-18 team in their first international match, a 1–1 draw against Northern Ireland. He received a call-up to represent the Jersey senior team at the 2007 Island Games, where he finished as the nation's top goalscorer in the tournament.

Style of play

Vincenti has described himself as a "utility player" and considers his versatility as an asset. Upon signing him for Coventry City, manager Mark Robins highlighted Vincenti's adaptability as a primary reason for the acquisition. Vincenti stated that his preferred position is as an attacking midfielder, where he can "make late runs into the box and hope to get on the end of any crosses". Also comfortable playing in central midfield and as a forward, Vincenti emphasised a willingness to "play anywhere the manager tells him to". He considers his height to be an attacking advantage, particularly when arriving late into the penalty area. Mansfield Town manager David Holdsworth noted that Vincenti's stature "means he is very much a threat from set pieces".

Coaching career

A UEFA B Licence coach, Vincenti was appointed academy director at St. Peter on 24 January 2021, later becoming the club's head of academy. He stepped down from the role in February 2024, due to his responsibilities as vice-chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association. St. Peter stated that Vincenti would continue to act in an advisory capacity to the academy, as well as serve as a coach.

Personal life

Following his return to Jersey at the conclusion of his professional playing career, Vincenti began working in the finance industry, initially with the Sanne Group before moving to JTC Group in 2023. He is also a qualified referee.

Career statistics

Honours

Stevenage Borough
*Conference Premier: 2009–10
*FA Trophy: 2008–09; runner-up: 2009–10

Rochdale
*Football League Two second-place promotion: 2013–14

Coventry City
*EFL League Two play-offs: 2018

St. Peter
*Jersey Football Combination: 2022–23
*Wheway Memorial Trophy: 2021, 2024
* Upton Park Trophy: 2023
*Jeremie Cup: 2024

Individual
*Football League One Player of the Month: October 2015

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Vincenti, Peter
Living people
1986 births
People from Saint Peter, Jersey
Jersey people of Scottish descent
Jersey men's footballers
Men's association football midfielders
Men's association football forwards
Millwall F.C. players
Stevenage F.C. players
Mansfield Town F.C. players
Aldershot Town F.C. players
Rochdale A.F.C. players
Coventry City F.C. players
Macclesfield Town F.C. players
Hereford F.C. players
National League (English football) players
English Football League players
21st-century British sportsmen