WITHIN a month of taking over as chairman of the GFA board, Mark Le Tissier is impressively making big strides in pulling the sport out of the mire.
A succession of meetings with clubs and talks with officials from the social leagues lends real hope that the GFA’s grand plan of taking charge of all island football will happen sooner or later.
Compromise appears to be the key word in the quick progress made.
Allowing five players from every Sunday League or Business league team to play in the other league seems, on the face of it, sensible enough in return for all players to be registered with the GFA which, in good time, will discover more about the habits of our increasingly more social and carefree footballers and, importantly, just how many there are.
In response to Nigel Staples’ letter of criticism of me and the previous board which appeared in yesterday’s Opinion page, just one point got under my skin and perhaps sums up where not only Guernsey football is going but team sports in general.
Staples asked what his club, Port City, got from the GFA?
He answered it himself by stating very little, 60 quid, and is seemingly of the belief that clubs like his should get a slice of the Football Association’s annual grant.
Why?
It seems more and more players want their sport on the ridiculously cheap.
In return for a decent subsidy, too many will turn out under any name and in whatever colour. As long as they have next to nothing to pay and there is more money in their pockets for the next round of drinks.
Surely all clubs must be able to pay their own way and not rely on handouts from an organisation which provides them with high-quality administration and many other benefits.
Staples said it cost Port City £2,500 a season to operate, which spread over 20 players works out at £125 per man less any sponsorship accrued.
Their players get a complete kit, washed for every game, around 20 matchesd a season, qualified referees, quality changing facilities across the island’s senior club grounds, GFA insurance and use of a fine home ground at King George V Field.
Sounds good value to me.
Give Port City their due it has not sold out [changed name] for a quick buck, but its costings do not sound in the slightest excessive to me and are cheap compared to many sports in the island.
Article posted on 5th July, 2008 - 9.29am
Le Tissier quick to make a mark
WITHIN a month of taking over as chairman of the GFA board, Mark Le Tissier is impressively making big strides in pulling the sport out of the mire.
A succession of meetings with clubs and talks with officials from the social leagues lends real hope that the GFA’s grand plan of taking charge of all island football will happen sooner or later.
Compromise appears to be the key word in the quick progress made.
Allowing five players from every Sunday League or Business league team to play in the other league seems, on the face of it, sensible enough in return for all players to be registered with the GFA which, in good time, will discover more about the habits of our increasingly more social and carefree footballers and, importantly, just how many there are.
In response to Nigel Staples’ letter of criticism of me and the previous board which appeared in yesterday’s Opinion page, just one point got under my skin and perhaps sums up where not only Guernsey football is going but team sports in general.
Staples asked what his club, Port City, got from the GFA?
He answered it himself by stating very little, 60 quid, and is seemingly of the belief that clubs like his should get a slice of the Football Association’s annual grant.
Why?
It seems more and more players want their sport on the ridiculously cheap.
In return for a decent subsidy, too many will turn out under any name and in whatever colour. As long as they have next to nothing to pay and there is more money in their pockets for the next round of drinks.
Surely all clubs must be able to pay their own way and not rely on handouts from an organisation which provides them with high-quality administration and many other benefits.
Staples said it cost Port City £2,500 a season to operate, which spread over 20 players works out at £125 per man less any sponsorship accrued.
Their players get a complete kit, washed for every game, around 20 matchesd a season, qualified referees, quality changing facilities across the island’s senior club grounds, GFA insurance and use of a fine home ground at King George V Field.
Sounds good value to me.
Give Port City their due it has not sold out [changed name] for a quick buck, but its costings do not sound in the slightest excessive to me and are cheap compared to many sports in the island.
Article posted on 5th July, 2008 - 9.29am