GUERNSEY’S footballers are prepared to go it alone to experience their ‘Olympics’ at next year’s NatWest Island Games in Rhodes. Matt Warren, captain of the island team, yesterday said the squad remained ‘very disappointed, frustrated and angry’ at being told by the Guernsey Football Association that they could not play next summer.

Six of the current island squad got together on Wednesday evening and Warren said that with the help of email, ’12 to 14 of us have discussed it’.

‘Everybody I have spoken to can’t believe it. We want to get the gold medal back,’ said Warren who, on behalf of the players, plans to meet with GFA officials shortly to discuss the situation.

‘I’ve requested a meeting with the board at which we can look at ways to go [to Rhodes].’

Warren, though, would not be drawn on whether the group, as a whole, would boycott the island’s South- West Counties League campaign, hinted at by striker Neil Clegg this week.

But, it seems, the players are not prepared to allow the decision to go unchallenged.

‘There were various ideas discussed and what action to take and just how serious we want to go,’ said Warren, who confirmed that one of the considerations was travelling independently of the GFA.

He has already sought advice from Guernsey Island Games Association secretary Roy Martel.

‘I’m looking forward to speaking to them [the GFA] and hopefully finding an avenue to ensure we get there.

‘If we were allowed to, the team wants to go. We’re prepared to do the fund-raising to allow us to go.

‘We want to play at the highest level possible and for us that means the Island Games.

‘There’s a lot of frustration from all our players. It’s a big tournament – our Olympics.’

Giga have yet to officially hear from the GFA over the matter but Martel confirmed he had spoken to Warren.

‘Naturally Giga are disappointed and, we’re sure, so will be Rhodes and the IIGA.

‘But we respect the GFA’s decision and are awaiting the letter confirming the decision and the reasons for it. Until that arrives, we don’t wish to comment at this stage.’

Island boss Steve Ogier has so far refused to talk on the issue, but asked whether he and Ogier were considering their positions, assistant coach Tony Vance said ‘no comment’, adding weight to stories that they are very unhappy with the GFA decision.