The Guernsey Football Association introduced the FA’s respect banners to local grounds at the weekend, with Port Soif hosting them on Saturday for the Deloitte Corbet Cup game between Rovers and Rangers.(Picture by Tom Tardif, 0699825)

THE Guernsey Football Association’s Centre of Excellence kicks off on Friday.

A training programme for the best young local players was stipulated in the GFA’s five-year plan, which was ratified by the clubs and had to be submitted to the English FA last year.

And with Paul Mooney, the island’s new football development officer, now in place, the centre is ready to go full steam ahead.

Mooney explained the reasons behind the enterprise.

‘There’s no pathway for elite players in Guernsey,’ he said.

‘Elite players need a pathway, otherwise there would be no elite players. Everyone would be playing at the same standard.’

The centre will be for under-12s, U-13s and U-14s.

Sixteen players have been selected from each age group.