THIS could be a red-letter day for football. The Guernsey Football Association holds a special general meeting this evening at which Dave Dorey will be formally elected president in succession to Alec Le Noury.

Immediately after that meeting, council will convene to vote on proposals for a Guernsey FA Cup – a new competition that, if accepted, would be open to all clubs at all levels in the island.

Dorey has already spoken in favour of introducing such a fresh competition, having said that clubs would derive ‘enormous benefits’ from such an ambitious proposal.

However, there are clubs which are unsure as to whether a large-scale Guernsey FA Cup would work.

‘I have my reservations that there are enough players to go around,’ said St Martin’s president Henry Davey.

‘They are talking of having 32 teams with 20 players registered for each, so that’s 640 players and I just wonder if there are that many here.

‘A lot of people who play Sunday Soccer League football also play in the Business League and a lot of those who play in both also play in the Railway League. It is a nice idea but I do have my doubts. I might be totally wrong and I hope I am.’

Rangers first-team coach Mac Gallienne was more optimistic, though.

‘It is a pretty good idea,’ he said, although he would rather not see the number of Priaulx League games reduced from 24 to 18 to accommodate it.

‘The one problem is just the number of games and what they might get rid of to fit it in. For me, the more first-team games, the better, and with a cup competition you might get just one game or several.

‘But the concept is a good one,’ said Gallienne.

Sunday Soccer League delegate Nick Mollet said the ‘appetising’ idea was being backed in principle by the league’s committee and several SSL teams had indicated backing for the new initiative.

‘It’s time for some of the draconian-thinking traditionalists in Guernsey football finally to wake up and get into the real world and make an effort to adopt a modern 21st-century forward-thinking outlook to take the game forward for everyone’s sake,’ he said.

‘It may have some teething problems which I’m sure can be ironed out and I have spoken to several Priaulx players who think it’s a great idea.

‘Some have told me that they would get more enjoyment out of this cup competition than playing in the South-West Counties League, which they believe has lost its appeal to many island footballers.’

If adopted, the SSL would be keen to avoid fixtures on Sundays if possible although it is prepared to be adaptable if necessary.