GFC youngster riled after being stopped from playing in Jackson match
THERE are no rules to stop GFC players playing domestic reserves football. The clarification arrives after League Management Committee's Garry Cortez admitted the decision not to allow Tom Martin to play for North in last weekend's Jackson League match was purely his, because he believes it would have been against the competition's spirit.
The 18-year-old, who has started 16 times for Guernsey FC – but not since 20 September – was told he could not play in North's match with Rangers on Sunday after being named in the squad.
'I'm only 18, should be able to play any level of footy I want, you can't choose,' he tweeted after the game.
A few days earlier, Rovers received criticism for playing Luke Winch in their Jackson team against Bels when he scored a hat-trick.
Cortez, who is both North president and also the LMC fixtures secretary, says there has always been a gentleman's agreement on the matter.
'I felt it wasn't fair that somebody who is a Guernsey FC regular starter when he is available, should play in the Jackson, and as North president, I stopped him playing,' he said.
'We had both Liam Mahon and Danny Hale playing in the same game, which I thought was fine, because they have had limited involvement with GFC games.
'It isn't fair for any team to be leaving out regular Jackson players for players that if fit and available, are starters for GFC and there has always been a gentleman's agreement to that effect.'
