Vale coach weighs in against GFA

TOP Priaulx coaches have slammed the Guernsey Football Association for not sending the island team to Rhodes next year. Last week the GFA executive committee decided to uphold their council's decision not to enter the football tournament at the 2007 Games. No official reason has been given, but it is believed to do with security worries and the 30C-plus heat.

'I think they should go,' said Vale Rec coach Chris Hamon.

'If I was a player, I would want to go. I don't see the security being an issue.

'I think Rhodes will bend over backwards to ensure that there aren't any problems. I also don't think the heat will be an issue.

'We've got plenty of time to acclimatise. There is enough help in Guernsey to get the right advice from.

'I think there must be another reason as to why they aren't going.'

Hamon is also upset with the new Priaulx registrations and the restriction on the number of games that juniors can play. Both rulings were brought in by the GFA ahead of this season.

'It seems that people behind desks are making decisions without talking to the people who really matter, i.e. the players and the coaches,' he said.

'I think it's a crazy situation with the registrations. Where did that come from? I've not spoken to anyone who is happy to keep the registrations.

'You want to make the game as attractive as possible and now they are telling people when players can play. It does not make our lives easier.

'It's an absolute mockery. Have they ever stood on a training pitch and dealt with a team? To me it doesn't seem that they have.'

As a reaction to the Rhodes decision, island captain Matt Warren has rallied his troops and is looking at sending a team regardless of the GFA. There is also talk of Guernsey players boycotting the upcoming South West Counties League.

Warren's manager at Sylvans Martyn de Garis sympathises with the midfielder and the rest of the island team.

'I reckon they should go,' he said.

'My thoughts are the same as Colin Fallaize. When Matt told me, I was gobsmacked.

'I feel really sorry for them. It's the biggest tournament they can play in and they wouldn't be there.

'We need these sorts of tournament to improve ourselves. That's the one thing they look forward to, that and the Muratti.

'I think it's wrong.'

Rangers' top man Mac Gallienne also believes that Guernsey, who have won the Island Games title twice, should be involved in Rhodes.

'I think they should be going, no question about it,' he said.

'Our team should be there and I think the women should be going as well. I don't know what the situation is.

'The heat - I can't see that doing us much damage whatsoever.

'We've got to go.'

Out of all the Priaulx coaches spoken to, only new North boss Mick Le Prevost showed any support for the GFA. He feels that the schedule could be too gruelling.

'I feel sorry for the players but I understand where the GFA is coming from as well,' said Le Prevost.

'They will have five games in six days in that heat. Have a look at the World Cup.

'England playing in Germany - they would play a game on a Tuesday and then their next game wouldn't be until the Saturday. Guernsey will be playing the next day.

'We've got only one day's rest.'