JUNIOR Island boss Tony Vance has given his support for the island under-18s playing in the Priaulx League as an eighth team. Vance said yesterday the positives of the proposal, put forward by Guernsey Press sports editor Rob Batiste, outweighed the negatives.

‘Playing and training as a squad week in, week out in a competitive league will benefit Guernsey’s best youth players immensely and ultimately Guernsey football in general,’ he said.

He cites other reasons for its introduction.

‘It will provide additional stimulation to the Priaulx League; provide greater preparation for the Junior Muratti; and potentially make the Youth One league more competitive by providing a more level playing field.

‘Younger youth players would have to be brought through to the clubs’ Youth One sides quicker to fill the voids left by playing for the Guernsey under-18 side. This would allow those youth players to develop faster.’

Batiste’s proposal would see Guernsey’s top under-18s play under the banner of the now-defunct Athletics or ‘Tics as they were known before they disbanded after losing the 1963 Jeremie Cup final to St Martin’s.

The author of the proposal says the move would have several benefits, not least to the overall standard of Priaulx football but also the development of the island’s best youth players both as individuals and as a team.

‘The clubs have to see past the end of their noses and see the bigger picture,’ said the sports editor, who has been critical of falling standard within the local game.

‘Guernsey football at senior league level is struggling.

‘Bold moves need to be made in an attempt to raise the game in terms of both standards and interest to the public.

‘I don’t particularly care what the under-18s call themselves – but I personally like the ‘Tics – and believe that as it would be run and funded by the GFA itself and have their own appointed coaching team, it would not be a Mickey Mouse outfit.’

Vance, though, does foresee stumbling blocks to the idea.

‘It may prove demotivating for club youth coaches in not getting access to the players they have coached over the years.

‘My biggest fear would be that there would be a noticeable lack of volunteers for club youth coaches.’

He also questions whether it will devalue the Youth One league and the Junior Upton.

Batiste suggests that the selected island under-18s be made available for their own club youth teams for up to six matches a season, those appearances being suited to the player’s first-claim club.

That way the clubs can retain a strong link with their players and vice-versa and utilise the best for the key Youth One matches.

They would also be available for the Old Vic Cup and Junior Upton.

Vance, however, suggests a compromise whereby the selected under-18s are allowed to play all youth games for their first-claim club.

The Sylvans and former Muratti star can see other reasons why clubs won’t be keen on the idea but does not want to sound as if he’s sitting on the fence.

‘I do agree that the idea is worth pursuing because the bigger picture would be that ultimately Guernsey football would benefit.’