'I'll change his mind'

JODY BISSON has vowed to regain his place in the island side after Steve Ogier unexpectedly dropped the keeper for Guernsey's match with the RAF tonight. The big news when the island coach named the team that will line up at Blanche Pierre Lane for the first South & West Counties Championship game of the season was that Paul de Garis had replaced Bisson.

The 29-year-old Vale Rec captain has been Guernsey's shot stopper since 2001 and to say he is disappointed by the news is an understatement.

'Just a lot. You always are,' he said.

'I've got to go out and put in the performances and change his opinion. You never like to lose your place.'

Ogier cited Bisson as having had an indifferent season as to why he had been axed. Despite the keeper not being at his best at times, Rec have the best defensive record in the league, having conceded only 18 goals.

'I probably went through a little blip at the end of November but the last few games it's been back to how it was,' said Bisson.

'I've had several clean sheets. Now I'm going to be the judge tomorrow night - I hate being on the bench.

'But I'm going to help the lads out like I would be starting. I did wish Digger all the best and I reiterate that now.

'At the end of the day, we all want Guernsey to do well.'

For the 32-year-old de Garis it marks his first return to the island team since October 2005 when he played against the Naval Air Command.

The Sylvans keeper's last Muratti cap was in 1996 when Guernsey lost 1-0 to Jersey in a replay.

'I found out last night at training and I was totally surprised,' he said yesterday.

'I've been playing well this year and I think maybe I've deserved it seeing how the other goalkeepers have been playing.

'I think I've been picked on my performances.'

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'Jody has been there for so many seasons and Steve Ogier has been honest and gone with those playing better. Not many amateur coaches would do that.

'The thing that's nice about it is that I'll be 33 in July and in amateur football people have a mental barrier about getting too old. I'm just pleased to be playing football and I'm enjoying it as well.'

De Garis seems to be rejuvenated this season after he moved to Sylvans from North during the summer to join his older brother, Martyn, who is the new coach at the St Peter's club.

'Last year I was at North and for personal reasons I gave up halfway through the season,' he said.

'Going to Sylvans was a good move for me. It's a fresh challenge.

'I've enjoyed it and the performances have been coming in as well.'

Now de Garis has been given the opportunity in the green of Guernsey, he does not want to hand it over.

'It's really up to me now to keep the island jersey,' he said.

'I'm going to take every game as it comes because you never know what could happen.'

Ogier also named in his starting line up Kevin Graham and Simon Tostevin, who are both making their senior island debut. St Martin's captain Graham will feature at centre half while the 23-year-old Tostevin will begin up front.

The North striker has been in fine form this season.

'I'm delighted to be involved,' he said.

'A few people mentioned to me that I could be in line for a call-up but I didn't want to get ahead of myself before it actually happened.

'I've been playing better and better as the season has gone along so the call-up has come just at the right time.

'Hopefully I can transfer my form for North to that of Guernsey and bag a goal or two.'

When the action kicks off at 7.30pm, it will be the first time that Guernsey have met the RAF in the SWCC.

'I don't know a great deal about them,' said Ogier.

'We've never played them since I've been in charge. When the forces sides come over, they can be quite strong but it depends on who they're going to bring as you never know what players they've got available.

'We're expecting to play a team that's well organised and fit.'