Le Tissier appointed as new exec. officer

MARK LE TISSIER has been appointed to succeed the late Martyn Le Prevost as Guernsey football's administrative supremo. The former Vale Rec. and island defender will quit his job in the insurance industry to become a paid employee of the Guernsey Football Association. He landed the post after an interview on Wednesday.

Le Tissier said yesterday that his 'love of football' tempted him to apply for the job.

'I've been involved in football all my life and I couldn't miss this opportunity to be more heavily involved on a day-to-day basis,' said Le Tissier.

'But it's still basically administration work, which is what I've been used to at Insurance Corporation.'

Le Tissier, a top-class referee, confirmed that he will continue officiating despite his new position, which is expected to become effective on Monday 10 March.

GFA vice-president Tony Blondel said that he was 'delighted' with Le Tissier's appointment.

'I'm very, very pleased for the GFA and for Mark. We've got somebody with a deep knowledge of local football and I'm sure that Mark will do an excellent job. He is a very conscientious person,' said Blondel, who is Le Tissier's uncle.

'Mark knows what he wants and he will work hard in his own way for the advancement of Guernsey football.

'The sad loss of Martyn left a big void because he had such experience. He was the sort of guy who knew the rules and regulations and procedures in his head and I'm sure that Mark will be in that position in the future.

'He will be a great asset to the GFA and he'll certainly get my full support.'

GFA football development officer Phil Corbet left the lucrative finance industry to take up his full-time post in football last year. He predicted that Le Tissier's new job would be 'very rewarding'.

'We needed this appointment badly. It's a critical post for local football and gives us an opportunity to build on the foundations laid by Martyn during his short tenure,' said Corbet.

'I don't know why Mark has taken this step, but I assume it's for the same reasons that I did.

'While the finance industry might be rewarding financially, I decided and I assume that Mark has decided to go for a quality of life and to work in a football environment full-time, which is very, very enjoyable.'

Le Tissier emphasised that he will still be working at Insurance Corporation, his employers of five-and-a-half years, for the next four weeks and outlined his intention 'to carry on doing that as professionally as before'.

He asked football officials and the media to respect his commitment to Insurance Corporation and said that he would not be contactable during working hours until he moves to the Corbet Field, the GFA's new headquarters.

Le Tissier enjoyed a golden playing career with Vale Rec. and later turned out for Rangers.

He captained Guernsey to a 4-1 victory in the Junior Muratti of 1980 and earned six senior Muratti caps between 1982 and 86, picking up winners' medals in 1982 and 85.

Le Tissier's full title will be executive officer. The post has been vacant since November 2002.