DALE GARLAND has put family first and withdrawn from next month’s Island Games in Aland.

The linchpin of Guernsey’s track and field squad for the past six years yesterday confirmed that he would be staying home to be with wife Rachael for the birth of their child.

‘I have left the decision to the last minute, but unless a minor miracle happens I won’t be going,’ said the man who over the past three Games has secured 12 gold medals for the Sarnian cause and set a string of Games records.

‘Basically, the extreme likelihood is that the birth will be that week.

‘We had [originally] thought that it might be the week after,’ said the proud dad-to-be.

‘I’ve been to every one since Jersey [in 1997] when I was 16 or so. It’s a shame, because I really did want to go.’

His absence is sure to hit the Guernsey medal tally and ambitions of the Sarnian track and field team in Aland.

After winning silver medals in 1999 and 2001, the future Great Britain international announced his step up in class at the Guernsey Games of 2003.

During that memorable week he won four individual golds and two more in the relays.