GFA in state of shock

FOOTBALL has been plunged into crisis by Dave Dorey's surprise resignation. Dorey has announced that he will not seek re-election as chief executive of the Guernsey Football Association, leaving the sport in a state of shock - and in a severe administrative quandary.

Remaining members of the GFA executive were locked in an emergency meeting last night.

It is expected that the GFA's first move will be to promote highly-rated full-time executive officer Mark Le Tissier to the post of chief executive.

But even senior officials have admitted that the association is fearful of the post-Dorey era.

Dorey's resignation came in the wake of vice-president Tony Blondel's announcement that he will not seek re-election either.

And Blondel's replacement-elect Dave Nussbaumer refused to confirm whether he would still be prepared to stand without Dorey at his side.

'I certainly said that I would take up the position because I was looking forward to working with Dave Dorey,' said Nussbaumer. 'I'll now have to speak to Dave and I'll review my situation after that.'

Northerners president Dave Finn was concerned for the future of football.

'I just don't know how the GFA is going to function without Dave,' said Finn. 'There are others at the GFA, but leadership could now be lacking.

'We are disappointed because we could refer any problem to Dave and it was always sorted out quickly and efficiently.

'He was a great ambassador for football and he was great to work with.

'The club and I admired Dave because he did so much work for football.'

Outgoing Belgrave Wanderers president Keith Parkyn said that Dorey was a victim of his own success.

'Dave should have gone two years ago because he was doing far too much work,' said Parkyn, a former GFA vice-president.

'Dave created a monster at the GFA and it's difficult to control monsters. If he'd carried on as he was, Dave would have ended up dead. He needed assistance, but one of Dave's problems was that he was always reluctant to accept help. Something drastic must have gone wrong for Dave to go suddenly like that. I just hope that Dave sticks to his guns and doesn't go back on his decision because he obviously needs a break and he deserves one.'

Vale Rec secretary Mick Solway called on the GFA to ensure that progress made by Dorey was built upon.

'Dave will leave a big hole to fill because the man is immense. He has done a brilliant job for the GFA,' said Solway. 'But it's now up to the GFA to act accordingly and ensure things continue to run smoothly.'

Dorey has no immediate plans except to stand for the post of chairman of the Guernsey Island Games Association later this year and to serve on the new Sports Commission.

'I'm not saying that I'll have a year out. I might come to the end of that year and still not want to be heavily involved in football,' said Dorey.

'I'm having a break for the first time in 30 years. I'm stepping into the unknown, really. I don't know what it's going to feel like.'

Dorey again rubbished rumours that he was considering returning to Vale Rec, where he was secretary and president for 19 years until becoming GFA secretary in 1994.

But Blondel, Vale's new president, extended an open invitation to Dorey.

'As a good friend of Dave, I'd like to thank him for all that he has done for our sport,' said Blondel.

'I hope he has a relaxing break and then comes back into football refreshed and ready for a new challenge. Dave is a Vale Rec person and he will always be welcome at the Corbet if he ever decides he wants to come back.'