Foote's Lane is the future for football

DAVE DOREY has urged people to stop romancing about the Track and move local football into the 21st century. The Guernsey Football Association president sent his message out to the clubs following the presentation given by Darren Duquemin, on behalf of sponsor Cherry Godfrey, which revealed plans for next year's Centenary Muratti Vase final including turning Foote's Lane into a 5,000 all-seater stadium.

The decision on where the 2005 final will be held is being voted on at GFA council on Thursday.

He readily admitted that when the Muratti was held at Foote's Lane for the first time last year the spectators were too far away from the action and they had just cause to criticise.

But he added that that situation resulted from a lack of preparation time because the decision on where to hold that match was taken only in February 2003.

'My worry was, going to Foote's Lane in 2003, that two-and-a-half months were not enough time to get everything ready. That came to pass.

'The reality was that we put it on at short notice and we got a few things wrong,' Dorey said.

However, the proposals for the Centenary Muratti would erase those problems at Foote's Lane, whereas the Track would not be suitable for the attendance that will hopefully be attracted.

'If you get 5,000 people into the Track, a lot of them cannot see the game. Once you get four or five people deep standing on the touchline, unless you are 6ft 6in., you cannot see the game. People forget that when they are romancing about the Track,' said Dorey.

'The Track has had its day and it has been a marvellous venue for Guernsey football but it is shouting out for brand new investment, which is not there.

'We have a brand new stadium, all the facilities in the world and supportive sponsors who have told us it will not cost the GFA a penny.

'All those things would ensure a wonderful Centenary Muratti. Surely we are not going to step away from that opportunity?'