THE furore surrounding the Guernsey Football Association’s controversial five-year plan could threaten the start of next season because clubs want more time to discuss the issues at hand.
At a meeting at the Track, representatives from the GFA clubs and the Sunday Soccer League met to discuss the association’s Guernsey Football Plan 2008-2012, which will radically change the sport locally, and the proposed amendments to the rules and by-laws.
The changes will be voted on at the GFA’s AGM on Thursday 19 June. The deadline for parties to give any suggestions or amendments passed at midnight last night. St Martin’s president Henry Davey (pictured) chaired the clubs’ meeting.
They want more time to consult with the association. The clubs also want to be able to give suggestions and amendments to the rules changes from the floor at the meeting after they have met the association. However, the 2008-09 season is due to start in fewer than 90 days in mid-August and, at the moment, fixtures secretary Garry Cortez does not know what competitions will be taking place, so no matches can be arranged yet.
There is a real risk that everything might not be sorted out in time.
‘That’s what worries me,’ said Davey.
‘It’s getting shorter and shorter.’
The clubs are happy to accept the changes to Youth Three and below and to women’s football that will see nine versus nine matches on three-quarter sized pitches.
But, according to Davey, the bone of contention is the 16 to 23-year-old development league that will replace the Jackson League and the current 16 to 18-year-old competition, Youth One.
Another problem is that the clubs themselves seemed divided about the development league.
Davey confirmed that St Martin’s are against the idea and wish to keep Youth One.
It is understood that North are also against getting rid of the present structure while the other clubs seem to be undecided.
The clubs had previously put forward a compromise and suggested a 16 to 21-year-old competition, but the GFA has rejected this.
Davey said the clubs were put out by that and by the fact that the GFA board had threatened to resign en masse if the clubs rebelled against their plan.
‘A lot of goes down to the arrogance of “back us or sack us”,’ said Davey.
‘How many will walk? I don’t know.’
The clubs also have reservations about the new senior league structure that will see promotion and relegation between the divisions.
The clubs sent an email to GFA chairman Dave Nussbaumer, and company secretary, Mark Vidamour yesterday with their demands for more consultation time and to be able to put forward amendments at the AGM.
Nussbaumer said the GFA board will discuss the matter at its meeting tonight and will issue a response tomorrow.
Article posted on 29th May, 2008 - 2.30pm
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