Le Page cannot do it on his own

'ONE man does not make a rugby club,' says a fearful former GFRUC first XV coach Colin McLatchie, keen not to see Jersey disappear over the horizon. 'The Rugby Club needs help,' he says.

'It needs committed people,' said McLatchie who resigned at Christmas but retains a keen interest in club affairs and is adamant that the sport also needs to take on a development officer to take the sport forward.

While GRUFC chairman Adie Le Page talks of a willingness to attempt to keep up with fiercely ambitious Jersey, McLatchie spots a real danger that the club's success of the past three seasons could be a prelude to a big fall.

'There is a really serious situation that Guernsey could blow this opportunity.

'But they have the capability to stabilise at the level they are now and with hard work and commitment they could climb again.'

The Scot has huge admiration for GRUFC chairman Adie Le Page, but says the man cannot do it on his own.

'If you had another half-a-dozen guys like him the club would be flying.'

McLatchie likens the current Guernsey-Jersey situation to that of two north-west clubs he once played for, Sale before they became the Sharks, and Preston Grasshoppers.

'Now Sale Sharks are Premiership champions and the Grasshoppers are languishing in the third division of the north-west league.

'That's purely down to ambition and finance.

Having the right infrastructure will make all the difference, argues the Scot.

'Guernsey could bring in three world-class players now and it would not make a blind bit of difference. The infrastructure has got to be put in place.'

Jersey appear to have no such problems and long term eye National League status.

McLatchie admires their ambition as they can see that the peak is not out of their reach.

'In reality, we are just six leagues away from the Premiership. Jersey are five away. That's a scary thought, but that's how close we are to it. It would be a crying shame to waste it.'