This Is Guernsey

By Aaron Scoones

Simon Martel, pictured playing for Specsavers against North in the 2006 FA Cup semi-final, backs the idea of a four-tier Priaulx League. (Picture by Brian Green, 0290120)

SPECSAVERS have confirmed they would seriously consider taking on the big boys of the Priaulx League.

Under proposals in the Guernsey Football Association’s new five-year plan, a four-tier Priaulx League would be created. If the plan is approved at the GFA AGM in June, established Priaulx clubs would populate the league along with teams from the ‘social leagues’.

And Specsavers, as one of the top outfits in the Business League, would certainly be entered into Priaulx League Division Two. The structure would be on a two-year pilot scheme and if successful after three seasons the league would then be open to promotion and relegation between the divisions. Specsavers could then be in a position to go up to the top division.

According to their former coach and current player, Simon Martel, they would relish the challenge.

‘If we won the second division, we would seriously consider it,’ he said.

‘It’s been talked about and it’s a long way down the line. But it’s something we’d have a look at.

‘It’s certainly an exciting prospect.’

Martel believes that Specsavers would be happy to fund the team due to increased media exposure that comes with playing in the Priaulx League.

He also says that his team would start regular training and that they would possibly look into establishing a ground share with one of the GFA clubs.

Specsavers are looking forward to entering the Priaulx League structure next season, if it is given the green light.

‘It looks quite an exciting prospect and we’re definitely all up for it,’ he said.

‘We’d look to enter as soon as possible. It’d be a new challenge.

‘You could lose some clubs, but if it is marketed right by the GFA, you could see more players coming in.’

Martel also feels the changes will force players who are on the fringes of a club to look for a new one.

The spread of players in time would even out the competition, making it more of a contest.

He feels the GFA is moving in the right direction.

‘It’s about time,’ he said.

‘Guernsey football has been stuck in a rut for a few years. It’s the same week in, week out.

‘I’m pleased that they’ve finally decided to do something to give local football a shot in the arm. It’s well overdue.’

Another team who are looking to be involved in the new league are Rocquaine United.

Mainly made up of the players who saw Sylvans dominate local football during the 1990s, Rocquaine United were formed for the Guernsey FA Cup.

Coached by Colin Renouf, this year they reached the semi-finals of the competition, having got past two Priaulx sides – Rovers and Rangers.

‘In principle, it would be fantastic to be given the opportunity to compete in the leagues,’ said Rocqaine’s former island striker Tony Vance.

‘But there would have to be a number of issues we need to debate among ourselves. We would need to discuss it.

‘I’m sure it’s something the guys would want to consider. I wouldn’t discard it and I know Colin [Renouf] wouldn’t rule it out.

‘It would provide some much needed freshness to the GFA leagues.

‘The real concern is our age and the quality of players at our disposal.

‘We’d have to change tack as to which players we would let in.’

Vance is a fan of the relegation-and-promotion aspect.

‘Obviously it’s a good idea to have promotion and relegation,’ he said.

‘I’m really pleased something is being done about it.’

Another supporter of the proposals is Business League vice-president Vince Paver, although he was keen to stress he was conveying his own thoughts and not those of the Business League committee.

‘It if helps local football, let’s do it,’ he said. ‘It’s a question of if it helps our organised football, then it’s a good thing.’

Paver is also keen on the relegation-and-promotion aspect.

‘Without relegation and promotion, what is there to play for?’ he asked.

‘I like that idea.’

He sees the stumbling block as having players register for just one club.

The Business League currently has no registrations system.

‘I’d like to play football every day for as many teams as possible and that’s generally people’s attitude,’ he said.

‘But that is not going to help the GFA.’

The ‘one-player, one-club’ is a policy that Sunday Soccer League president Keith Robins has problems with, too.

‘The only thing is people being signed to one club only,’ he said.

‘Some of our coaches have already mentioned it. We need to move forward, but I don’t think it’s the right way.

‘A four-tier league for the Priaulx clubs sounds good but I’m not sure if it’d work [for us]. But it’s difficult to say with just putting it down on paper. You need to digest it properly.

‘Yes, we need change, but will these things work?

‘We’re meeting soon and once we know what’s going on, we’ll put something together.’

The GFA has stated that the four-tier Priaulx League, like all its other proposals, would initially be a two-year pilot scheme.

It looks increasingly likely that it will come into effect for next season but Robins was concerned that once it was in place, there would be no returning to the old format.

‘If it doesn’t work, they won’t go back,’ he said.

‘They will keep going forward.’

And he sees the social element of the Sunday Soccer League being destroyed.

‘What will happen to the guys who can’t train?’ he asked.

‘That’s why they play on Sundays.’