Minister on the ball: Mike O’Hara, seen in action for the deputies last Boxing Day, is enthused by the Guernsey United project. (0520374)

ONE of the most powerful men in local sport has given his backing to Guernsey United. Following April’s general election, Mike O’Hara was voted in as the new Culture and Leisure minister.

The department presides over sport in the Bailiwick.  The minister acknowledged that the plan could create some political wrangling in the local football scene, but he gave it his support.

‘My own point of view on what they are trying to achieve, I think it’s got to be good for football,’ he said. ‘If you think about it, Guernsey has got a rugby team playing in the UK, cricket playing internationals and athletics taking on top teams, but football has seemed to stagnate a little bit.

‘It’s going to give Guernsey footballers more opportunities and put Guernsey football more in the marketplace. It will be good for football and I wish them all the success.’

The plan would from next season see Guernsey United enter into a UK semi-professional league, most likely the Kent League, which is several levels above local football.