The Muratti debate

INITIAL feedback for plans to have an all-seater stadium for the Centenary Muratti has been very positive. The local football fraternity has been intrigued by the proposals to erect quality temporary stands at Foote's Lane for the showpiece occasion.

Island manager Steve Ogier has given his backing to the project after attending Thursday's presentation and would look forward to leading his side out into such an arena, providing Guernsey overcome Alderney in the semi-final.

'I was very impressed by what they had to offer. If it comes to fruition, it should be really good,' he said.

Vale Rec president Tony Blondel also went to the presentation and left Beau Sejour with his queries answered and in favour of the plans.

However, he added that that was his own opinion and his club was yet to decide whether to vote for Foote's Lane or the Track.

'It highlights how seriously we are taking the issue as a club that our committee is holding a meeting to discuss the matter next Wednesday, will make a decision then and vote accordingly at council on Thursday,' said Blondel.

'Personally, I was impressed and I think most people were. People wanted to get closer to the players, closer to the pitch and the sponsors have gone out of their way to do that.

Blondel managed Guernsey in four Muratti finals during the 1980s, including two at the Track. He said that the ground, which he still describes as the home of Guernsey football, served its purpose well but the game has to move on.

But what about the players' point of view?

The crowd at the first Foote's Lane Muratti voiced their dissatisfaction with the venue as it was and those on the pitch also noticed the lack of atmosphere created last year with the fans not being on top of the action.

'You do notice in comparison to, say, the Island Games when we played at the Corbet Field,' said island player Matt Warren.

'The atmosphere there was just superb for us. We had fans all the way around the pitch, five or six rows deep in places, and they were just a couple of yards away from you so you could hear all the chants.

'When we came to play the final and the fans were behind the running track, the atmosphere was not carried across even though there were a lot of people there.'

However, Warren hopes that the proposals will change all that.

'The facilities there are definitely the best we have got and it is good to play there for the surface, but what gets us going as players is the fans. It is not as much fun where there is no atmosphere and you can tell on the pitch if they are with us or not.