A handful of cups: Ross Allen with John Aldridge at the GFA presentations. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0784784)

THIS season’s most decorated footballer, hot-shot Ross Allen, is set to turn his back on Guernsey and go to America.

At Thursday’s Guernsey Football Association’s presentation evening at the Peninsula Hotel, the 22-year-old Rangers and island striker  was named Division One player of the year and the players’ player of the year after banging in 51 goals.

‘I was ecstatic to get one, let alone two,’ he said yesterday.  ‘There were some really good candidates. Ben [Coulter] had a cracking season and Dave [Rihoy] scored a hatful of goals as well.’

But he made it clear that his intention is to go across the Atlantic.

He said that the American leagues start in March and he wanted to go earlier this year, but injury meant he had to shelf his plans.

He is now looking to go out in July after the Island Games in Aland at the end of this month.

‘I was hoping to go before the Muratti, but then I rolled my ankle and I was out for a month,’ he said. ‘I just want to give it a go. I don’t want any regrets in a few years time. I’m so lucky to have dad’s links.’