Collins faces the chop

GARRY COLLINS' role as chief executive of Bowls Guernsey hangs by a thread. A vote of no confidence in both him and the association's president, Ian Merrien, now appears a formality after confirmation that the necessary 12 names to force an extraordinary general meeting have been found.

Ralph Deakin, one of the island's leading bowlers, is one of a handful of people who are determined to bring Collins to heel.

Deakin said the EGM stems from unhappiness over the adverse publicity following the selection of the sport's Commonwealth Games shortlist of potential men's representatives.

'The publicity has not done bowls good whatsoever,' said Deakin.

'There has been a lot of dissention about the way the team is picked,' he added.

Collins' growing number of critics point to the fact that the constitution demands that the island teams be picked by a three-man committee.

However, the six nominations put forward for the Commonwealths were chosen by Collins and his father, Nigel.

Not only that, said Deakin, 'they have turned around and picked people who don't fit their own criteria'.

Deakin, who estimates the number of disgruntled signatures, has grown to 25, expects Collins tol be ousted by the EGM.

'I think there is enough ill-feeling in the bowling community to make sure we will get a result.'

Collins said talk of an EGM was 'news to me' and warned that if such a meeting was called he would retaliate.

Collins said that an EGM would see him despatch to the membership a statement detailing the phone calls and text messages received and the names of the three members and two non-members who have received police warnings as a result.

The five, Collins says, are threatened with arrest if they continue to break the telecommunications act.

'I was hoping this matter would remain a private one, but I guess not,' he said yesterday on hearing of the EGM developments.

'I have nothing to hide.

'The support I have received over the last few weeks from the membership has been great.

'I shall continue to fulfil my duties until the membership no longer require my services, now or in years to come.'

Collins said he had nothing but admiration for Merrien, who is also threatened with the axe for what one anonymous bowler said was for allowing Collins to run out of control.

'I can confirm he has fulfilled his duties brilliantly and I cannot see what the members have to complain about.

'I give him my full support and will fight anyone who says differently.'