The correct decision was made - eventually

THE Guernsey Football Association's reversal of the decision not to send a team to Rhodes this week has been welcomed by all corners of local football. Former island boss and current St Martin's coach, Colin Fallaize, was one of the fiercest critics of the decision not to enter men's and women's teams in next June's NatWest Island Games and he believes that everyone should now work together.

'I think if you've got something to say when they've been up against it, then you've got to be prepared to give Steve Ogier the best support possible,' he said.

'People have shown that they are positive about it and now all concerned have to sit down and make it happen.

'After all that has happened, now we are going, we'd better do a good job.'

The question of repercussions from the Games in 2003, when six players were sent off during a heated match between the island side and Rhodes, is something that Fallaize believes the team will just have to overcome.

'It's a going to be a great experience and what makes it a great experience is all the challenges before them,' he said.

'It's like when Liverpool go to play in Turkey. They know they are going into a situation.

'I'm sure both Guernsey and Rhodes will keep their discipline.'

Someone who supported the players when they announced their dismay at the original decision was the Jersey Football Association president, Ricky Weir.

'Obviously after my last comments, naturally I'm glad that common sense prevailed,' he said.

'From a Jersey point of view, it's good that we will have a chance to face Guernsey in the Games and it's good for the Channel Islands to send two teams. The decision has to be applauded.'

Guernsey Island Games team medical officer, Dr Jonny Pearce, was also dismayed that the football sides had been pulled out and is glad that this has been turned around.

But he still has serious concerns with regards to the heat that they will be playing in.

'I'm pleased that they are going,' said the Zimbabwean.

'It was a brave decision to reverse it. The fact they are going for an extra week is a really good idea.

'It's going to take a hell of a lot more work than Shetland because of the heat.'

Bels stalwart Keith Parkyn is scathing over the affair.

'They want to make up their minds,' he said.

'I know it was the FA holding them back. I just want to know those people who voted against it, what they are going to do now.

'It's a screw up. They have made a laughing stock of themselves.'

Island goalkeeper Jody Bisson is delighted to be given the opportunity to go and try to win the gold medal after losing to Shetland in last year's final.

'It's excellent news because everybody wants to play in the best competitions you can,' said the Vale Rec shot stopper.

'We have sent teams to Gibraltar in the past when it has been hot and even in Gotland we were playing in the middle of the afternoon when it was 32-34C. You would have thought the organisation would be such that you are not playing at the hottest part of the day everyday anyway.'

Asked if he would be worried about security, Bisson said: 'You cannot be in this day and age. With everything that's going on in the world, worries about sending a football team to Greece for a week or two seem a bit out of proportion.