This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mollet

THE idea of a ‘Guernsey United’ team playing on the UK league ladder should not be dismissed. That’s the viewpoint of GFA president Dave Nussbaumer, director of representative football Mark Le Tissier and at least one senior island player, who has thrown his weight behind the dream scenario of an island side playing on the national league ladder.

On Saturday, GP sports Rob Batiste posed the question whether Guernsey could follow the same funding route of English club side Ebbsfleet United, who are now run by the shareholding fans.

The article has drawn responses from varying quarters.

‘It’s an interesting prospect,’ said Le Tissier. ‘I don’t see why it can’t work.

‘It will be interesting to see what sort of feedback you get.

‘I don’t think it should be dismissed out of hand and I think it worth continuing to investigate. I’d be quite positive in looking into it further,’ the former island defender added.

Meanwhile, the GFA president stressed his committee are working tirelessly on ways of revitalising the local game and that the Ebbsfleet approach was intriguing.

‘You have come up with a great idea. We are already looking at ways of entering a team in the FA Vase.

‘We want to stimulate football.’

Meanwhile, one top player, who wished to stay anonymous, said something needed to be done. ‘Guernsey football is going nowhere fast,’ he said.

The idea is ‘in principal, a good move’.

There were, he added, a host of logistical problems to overcome but the island was ‘more than capable of funding this through local private funding’ he viewed.

The player also suggested that UK based professional or former pro players such as Chris Tardif, Dave and Lee Waterman and Ryan Zico-Black could be approached and Guernsey United might need to consider signing some English-based players.

‘I would suggest that at least three of the current island squad would not be able to commit to a season requiring travel twice a week. However, young players like Ben Coulter, Matt Loaring and Scott Rowe would benefit from being involved with a view to future progression.’