This Is Guernsey

By Rob Batiste

GUERNSEY’S longest serving and most respected club secretary has given domestic football’s plann-ed revolution a big thumbs up.

Mike Bachelet, pictured, who has underpinned Sylvans’ successes as club secretary for 15 years, described the proposed league structure as ‘fantastic for football’.

He has worries, he admits, but says the Guernsey Football Association board need praising, not knocking for its plans. ‘It’s time for a shake-up. It needs one. We’ve been stuck in a rut for far too long.’

Speaking as an individual, and not as a representative of his club, Bachelet has no qualms about the bulldozing tactics the GFA is using to get its way on the five-year plan.

‘It is the only way to get changes past the clubs.

‘If I’m being honest, I think it [the plan] is a very good document and professionally put together.’

But he is nervous that not everyone will see it that way and the plans could be scuppered at the AGM.

‘As a personal viewpoint, the best outcome must be to find a way of working with the board and to giving it a try.

‘I think there are some very good ideas.

‘I am a bit concerned about getting rid of the Youth One. I would like to be convinced, but I’m not. That said, I’m not saying we shouldn’t give it a try.’

He would have preferred a more palatable 17-to-23 league as opposed to the 16 to 23 put forward.

But the last thing Bachelet would like is a return to the old way of football administration and to the days of the fortnightly council.

‘Things [administratively] are so much better today.

‘Yes, there is more admin involved, but it is paperwork and so much easier.’