Corbet resigns

PHIL CORBET has resigned. The island coach quit with immediate effect on Easter Saturday after Guernsey had beaten ASSA Vallee du Dropt 2-0 in France.

Corbet's unexpected and dramatic move after six years in the job was announced less than two weeks before the Muratti and only 10 weeks before the start of the Island Games.

Assistant coach Colin Fallaize will take charge of Guernsey for next Monday's friendly against the Army, for the Muratti on May 5 and for the Island Games in June and July, subject to confirmation by the Guernsey Football Association's ruling council.

GFA executive officer Mark Le Tissier announced at 7 o'clock this morning that president Alec Le Noury accepted Corbet's resignation 'with regret' while Guernsey were in the south of France.

'The GFA wishes to place on record sincere thanks for Phil's outstanding and tireless service as Island manager for the past six years,' said Le Tissier. 'He will be sorely missed.

'Phil will continue in his role as GFA football development officer and has re-affirmed his commitment to and enthusiasm for continuing with the development of Guernsey football.'

The GFA refused to release the full details behind Corbet's decision. They said only that he quit for 'personal reasons'.

It was understood that Corbet originally planned to resign after the Games. The strange timing of his announcement suggested that unforeseen circumstances were a major factor behind his decision.

Despite his agreement to succeed Corbet in the short-term, Fallaize is thought to be less than enthusiastic about taking the island job in the long-term. His is likely to be a stop-gap appointment until the annual meeting in July, when a permanent island coach will be elected.

Corbet was Guernsey's longest-serving island coach after challenging and beating Fallaize at the annual meeting of 1997.

He won both of the home Murattis he led Guernsey into, but lost all three in Jersey. He won three and lost three of his six under-21 Murattis.

The highlight of Corbet's six years in charge was the summer of 2001, when Guernsey followed up a 4-1 Muratti victory by winning the gold medal at the Island Games.

Vale Rec. coach Ray Blondel, his Corbet Field predecessor Chris Hamon and Sylvans boss Richard Packman were yesterday installed as the front runners to land the island job next season.