This Is Guernsey

By Aaron Scoones

BRING on the games is the message from Mick Le Prevost, coach of the newly-crowned Priaulx champions.

Le Prevost welcomes the prospect of more Division One matches brought about by the addition of an eighth side into the league next season.

Last week, new club Athletics were accepted into the fold for next year, even though they don’t, as yet, have a player on their books.

This season the Priaulx League saw the seven top clubs play each other three times, which led to a total of 18 matches for each club.

One of the most vehement critics of the change was North boss Le Prevost, who wanted to switch back to 24 games a season.

But with Athletics added into the mix, there could be 21 matches a season, if the clubs play each other three times, or 28 if they meet four times, as was the case last season.

‘If it was down to me, I’d say play four times,’ said Le Prevost (pictured).

‘I’ve always said 18 isn’t enough. If we can play 28 times, let’s play 28 times. Our season finishes too early.’

Le Prevost said the current situation was  not helping his side’s Upton Park Cup hopes.

Following North’s decisive last league match against Bels, they now have to wait five weeks before their Upton clash, which is due to take place on Saturday 18 April.

Another Division One coach in favour of more matches is Clive Bateman.

The Sylvans top man feels that playing 28 league matches is certainly possible.

‘As long as everyone stays in the league, as I know there are concerns about Rovers,’ he said.

‘I think 28 is fine. We should be looking at playing every two weeks, especially at the top level.’

However, there are some grumbles coming from the GFA about having 28 matches.

‘Personally, I think 28 is too many,’ said GFA chairman Mark Le Tissier.

‘I think the extra games up to 21 will appease some of the coaches, who wanted more games.’

And the GFA’s fixtures secretary Garry Cortez also thinks 28 could be too many.

‘But if the clubs wanted four games each there’s not much I can do about it,’ he said.

‘The clubs have got more votes than me. I think having four games on a Saturday is too much because you’ve only got a limited number of supporters to go around.’

But Cortez is a fan of having an extra side in the league.

‘It would make my life easier if we had eight teams,’ he said.

‘Take the Stranger Cup, you would have four first round matches instead of one team having a bye and going straight into the semis.’

Someone who does have reservations about having ‘Tics’ in Division One is Colin Fallaize.

The St Martin’s boss said he would like another three matches a season, but only if they are of a good standard.

‘I keep getting annoyed that they [Guernsey Athletics] keep saying they are going to improve the league,’ he said.

‘The league isn’t going to suddenly get 20 new players. Am I going to get three games of reserve quality or I am going to get three games of good quality?

‘I don’t know of any players moving anywhere. It’s just a team on a piece of paper.’

At present, Athletics have no names on their books and they will be hoping to sign players when the transfer window opens in June.

Fallaize said that none of his players have mentioned to him that they would be looking to move to the new side.

Le Prevost said exactly the same and he would be shocked  to see any of his team go.

‘We’ve won the league twice out of three years, why would they want to leave?’ he asked.

Bateman also doubted any of his side would be attracted by the new club, who plan to play their home matches at the KGV.

‘I was quite surprised that they allowed them to join straight off into Division One,’ he said.

‘Other clubs have to start in Division Two?

‘We’re not allowed to name players before we’ve signed them.

‘But I wish them every luck.

‘It’s just a shame they are playing down at the KGV. It’s not the best of pitches. The grass is usually a foot long.’

Athletics coach, the former island boss Steve Ogier, is keeping his cards close to his chest with regards to potential signings.

‘The board are putting together a package at the moment for prospective players, so at the moment we do not want to appear presumptuous,’ he said.

‘But we’re hopeful, of course, that the package will prove attractive to players.

Until 1 June and the window, nothing can be done.’

Article posted on 24th March, 2009 - 2.30pm