GUERNSEY could have its own FA Cup by next season. A proposal is to be put forward at the Guernsey Football Association’s next council meeting to introduce a new senior cup competition which will carry big prizemoney and be open to all 10 senior GFA clubs, plus Sunday Soccer League and Business League teams.

A major sponsor has already been secured and the winners will get a whopping £2,000, the losing finalists £1,000.

Prizemoney will be awarded all the way down to first-round losers.

As many as 32 teams could go into the hat for the first-round draw and it is envisaged that specific days will be set aside for each round, like the FA Cup itself.

Dave Nussbaumer, vice-president of the GFA, said it was a bold and exciting move, one of a number of ideas being touted to breathe fresh life into senior football and raise standards.

‘I see a Guernsey FA Cup as an attractive competition to GFA, SSL and Business League teams,’ said Nussbaumer.

‘It will combine the glamour and giant-killing possibilities of the real FA Cup at our local level. I hope clubs will be in favour of what will be a brilliant competittion,’ he added.

‘I will be drafting a proposed addition to the rules to put before the next council meeting on 3 June.’

The proposed competition has the support of major players within the GFA hierarchy and will be discussed formally at council following the extraordinary general meeting to elect a new president early next month.

If passed, it would then go to the AGM for ratification and be introduced in time for the 2004/5 campaign.