Star man to have talks on his future

GUERNSEY'S top footballer Dave Rihoy will decide in the next few days for whom he will be playing next season. 'I'm keeping my options open,' he told the Guernsey Press yesterday.

He plans to talk to North coach Mick Le Prevost in the next 48 hours before making any decision.

Rihoy, 22, who was the man of the match in this year's Muratti penalty shoot-out defeat against Jersey and Priaulx players' player of the year two seasons ago, is strongly rumoured to be considering a move to Belgrave Wanderers.

Several of his closest friends, including island players Joby Bourgaize and Sam Cochrane, already play for Micky Ogier's side, but he would not confirm whether a move to the Track is a possibility.

He would not be swayed one way or the other on whether he is likely to be staying with the Priaulx champions or heading out of Northfield.

But he did quash ongoing speculation that he could be venturing down the road to Vale Rec.

'There is no truth in that,' he said.

His partner has a child on the way and he is looking to devote a lot of his time to parenting when the baby is born.

Arguably the most sought after local footballer and possibly best player in the Channel Islands would be a massive loss to North if he decides to leave the club he has been at since the age of nine.

And it would be a double blow for the chocolate-and-blues after the exodus of fellow island player Jon Veron to Rangers this week, which did not come as a surprise to some in the know.

'It's been on the cards and fair play to him - he wants a new challenge,' said Rihoy.

'He has left the champions but gone for a lower club and he is a good player. I don't think he was very keen on playing right-midfield and I think he might be better up front.'

Everybody connected with North will be praying Rihoy decides to stay. The club could be in a mini crisis if he, too, departs as they will already be without striker Simon Tostevin until probably around Christmas after knee surgery.

In the only other big summer transfer since the window opened a few weekends ago one of the island's best young players, Ben Coulter, switched from Bels to St Martin's.

If Rihoy did go to Bels he could be joined by highly rated Sylvans' midfielder Matt Drillot, who is understood to be contemplating a move.