THE Guernsey Football Association has denied that it has made a U-turn in appointing Tony Vance as the new island coach. Last month saw Steve Ogier resign from the role to take up the reins of the controversial Guernsey United and Vance, as his assistant coach, and physiotherapist Mike Thomas went with him.

An upset Ogier then went on the record to say that he had been given an ultimatum by the GFA to go or be sacked as it believed there would be a conflict of interest if he took on both roles.

GFA chairman Mark Le Tissier declined to comment at the time about Ogier’s departure. But yesterday he was happy to answer the question of how the GFA could bring in Vance who, it could be argued, it sacked last month. Le Tissier vehemently denied Ogier and Vance had been fired.

‘The thing with that is Steve was the guy who resigned and the others were part of his team and they felt it correct to do the same,’ he said.  ‘When we advertised the position, Tony applied. You’d have to speak to him [as to why he did].’

Despite going for the island job, Vance (pictured) said he still supports the Guernsey United project that could see the island-based club play in the Kent Premier League from next season. Le Tissier said that the GFA had no issue with Vance taking this stance as the island boss.