THE inaugural Fletcher Sports Guernsey FA Cup competition has met with a fantastic response. Just before the deadline for competition entries closed, Guernsey Football Association secretary Matt Fallaize was delighted to report that 31 clubs had paid the £50 entry fee to take part, with another couple showing late interest.
He added that the ideal number for the knockout tournament would be 32.
‘The association has had a brilliant response from right across football. This competition seems to have united footballers of all leagues and has obviously kindled an enormous degree of enthusiasm and excitement,’ Fallaize said.
Of the entries he has received so far, only one of the GFA League clubs (Police) is not among them.
‘More than two-thirds of the teams come from the grass roots of football - the Business League and the Sunday Soccer League - and among the entries are Bavaria Nomads from Alderney, Sark Sports Club and Elizabeth College, all of whom will offer the competition an extra splash of colour and diversity.
‘The Business League teams seem particularly excited about the Guernsey FA Cup. No fewer than nine of them have entered, most well before Priaulx clubs had got around to sending in forms.
‘I can’t wait for the first round draw to see some of the intriguing ties it throws up. We could end up with Sylvans versus Specsavers in a country derby or Le Bees FC against the Channel Islands champions St Martin’s,’ Fallaize said.
It is the possibility of ties against the island’s top clubs that has captured the imagination of the local football public and those who play in the Business League and the SSL.
Even though there are still several weeks before the opening matches of the Guernsey FA Cup are scheduled to take place on 17-19 September, people are already imagining the possibility of giant-killing feats taking place.
‘Without fail, every one of those non-GFA teams that have brought their applications has told me how much they are looking forward to the competition kicking off in September,’ said Fallaize.
‘I can see the Guernsey FA Cup going from strength to strength. The association and Fletcher Sports have clearly started something that could be a bit special, although we won’t forget that it was actually the sports editor of the Guersney Press who campaigned for such a competition in the first place.’
Competing clubs will receive every penny of the £5,000 sponsorship and, after being advised that match officials will not offer their services for free in the first year, the GFA has agreed to pay for all of them and the hire of all pitches.
Fallaize added that the draw is likely to take place in late August or at the beginning of September.
Article posted on 3rd August, 2004 - 12.00am
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