Martyn ‘Digger’ de Garis has announced his under-21 squad ahead of their two matches against the RNAC tonight and on Saturday. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0423517)

‘IT WAS too good to refuse.’  These were the words of Martyn ‘Digger’ de Garis, talking about his new appointment as the island’s under-21 coach for the Royal Naval Air Command matches and U-21 Muratti.

‘I was saying to a couple of people, never say never in football, and some jobs are too good to turn down,’ he said. ‘This came up and I’m delighted [to take it]. To be fair, I’m not linked to any club and I’m doing the U-15s. This is maybe a quick fix in a way.’

The position came up when Steve Ogier stepped down two weeks ago as the senior island coach, a role that looks after the U-21s as well. Ogier had resigned to take over the reins of Guernsey United, who are looking to play in the Kent League next season.

With the U-21s playing the RNAC twice this week – tonight and for the Malaya Cup on Saturday – and with the Ambassadeur Bowl in November, the Guernsey Football Association had to move quickly to name a replacement.

However, there has been no announcement yet about who the island’s new senior coach will be. De Garis, however, has ruled himself out of taking the top job in local football.