Morgan swansong

TRIM MORGAN has his eyes on a Muratti swansong.

When the Guernsey team face Jersey next May, veteran Morgan wants to be in the line up one more time. This may come as a surprise to some fans as on Tuesday, the Grammar School teacher will celebrate his 38th birthday.

He hardly featured on the field of play last year as he spent more time in the dug out as North's first-team coach and this season will be his last on the island before emigrating to Perth in Australia next summer.

'I want to play this season and hopefully play well enough to be put in the Muratti squad,' said a player many regard as the most the gifted footballer to play for Guernsey since Kevin Le Tissier. He has two Muratti caps to his name from 2005.

But what has let him down has been the occasional hot-headed moment on the field of play. He was suspended for 112 days during the 2003/04 campaign for an indiscretion, a season after he was named players' player of the year.

He could be compared to Zinedine Zidane. Both are talented footballers who can control a game from the midfield but also let emotions run away with them.

Morgan laughed off that he might do a 'Zidane' in his last ever match in local football, if he was selected for next year's Muratti.

'I might go without a bang,' he joked.

Since arriving in Guernsey four years, Morgan has been involved the Vale Rec, Sylvans and North. He was the boss at Northfield until two months ago when he stepped down due to his plans to move to Australia.

He claims there is no animosity between himself and the club or with the man who replaced him, Mick Le Prevost.

'I've got no qualms about that,' said Morgan.

'I'll push for a spot in the squad. I'll play whenever and wherever he wants.'

'We've lost a few players but we've gained a couple,' said Morgan.

'Kyle Stone is back after suspension and Simon Johns is back after injury. We've got some youth coming through as well, like Glyn Dyer and Alex Le Prevost.

'He'll suit our style of play with the two wingers, if Mick goes with that.'