Dateline 19 March 1966 and emerging Vale Rec take on champions St Martin’s in front of 1,400 spectators at the Corbet Field. Mick Falla is the keeper attempting to punch clear and the Vale defenders going up for the ball are Noel Jeffreys and George Pearson (foreground). (0706942)

IT JUST does not seem right to see Vale Rec languishing near the foot of the Division One table.

There is some merit in the argument that the Corbet Field is the mecca of Guernsey club grounds and it does not require close analysis to come forward with the statement that Vale are the outstanding club of the past 30 odd years with 15 Priaulx championships.

Over in the UK that record must still draw a wry smile from one Tony Williams, the man most responsible for launching Vale from being almost the Rovers of their day into consistently one of the most powerful clubs in Channel Islands football.

Having found himself at Blanche Pierre Lane, the Englishman was a terrific winger who added a touch of class to the great Saints side of the mid-60s.

But, he wanted a challenge and drew up a grand plan to draw top talent to the Corbet Field.

In the players came, one by one, and by the end of the 1960s the green-and-golds were pushing Saints hard for the title.