Le Tissier - 'We don't play enough games'

GUERNSEY football has lost out to and been overtaken by other sports because youngsters are capped on their number of games and are not being allowed to play often enough. And in the week a 15-year-old Crystal Palace junior played in the Championship, Vale Rec Youth Two coach and former island star Carl Le Tissier also does not believe youngsters should have to wait until their 16th birthday to be allowed to play senior football in Guernsey.

'If they are good enough they are old enough,' he said.

He has poured scorn on the 40-game rule that is imposed on youngsters and suggests it is too restrictive.

'I totally disagree with the rule because a football season is almost over 40 weeks and you are telling the kids they can only play one game a week, which is not enough,' he claimed.

'My whole philosophy is the kids don't play enough competitive football from 14 to 18 unless they are top quality players.'

For many of his Youth Two players the maximum league and cup games they can play in a season is nine games - one every two-and-a-half weeks.

'I feel that is ridiculous and there should be a review of the whole youth system,' said Le Tissier.

'We need to get our youngsters playing football more often to get them more interested. The other sports have overtaken us like badminton, table tennis, rugby and cricket.'

'I played at least twice a week throughout my career from the age of 14 and it never affected me. How can you get burnt-out playing 17 games a season?' he asked.

'If people think good quality training is better than playing games then Guernsey football is in a mess.

'Kids need to be playing games more often and that is when they improve and learn,' he said.

'The worst thing is they have stopped the academy, which we have not had since we brought in a football development officer,' he claimed.

He wants the academy system to be re-examined and possibly re-introduced.

'All the other sports have specialised coaching for the top players,' said Le Tissier.

The GFA has confirmed that the 40-game rule applies to all club games and any games played in the Fletchersports FA Cup. It does not apply to school or representative football.

'The GFA is happy with the system and fully supportive of it,' said a spokesman.

It insists the system is in place to protect the welfare of children and does not believe the restrictions would hamper a player's development and opportunities.

'If players are good enough then they will be spotted by clubs or put forward for trials with clubs whatever their age and whatever team or division they are playing in,' said the spokesman.

As a youth player, whether you are playing in senior or youth matches, substitute appearances count as either half or full games dependent on whether they come on in the first or second half. The reverse is the case for the substituted player.

Earlier this week John Bostock made his first team debut for Crystal Palace against Watford aged 15 years and 287 days.

Following our inquiries the English FA have confirmed that players in the approved School of Excellence programme at Football League level and academy programme at FA Premier League level are exempt from the restrictions set out in FA Rules.

'We are happy to confirm that this ruling has no bearing on grassroots football where the age limit is 16 - in other words a player cannot play in open age football until his 16th birthday. This has not changed,' said an FA spokesman.

North Priaulx team coach Mick Le Prevost backs the 16th birthday rule and believes it is good for Guernsey football and for youngsters.

'The youngsters can play and train with senior players who are playing for Guernsey and gain experience.'

He coached North's successful youth sides for four years.

'If you are at the age of 16 and are good enough you should be playing senior football as long as you are not being overplayed and are looked after by the club and coaches.'

He insists this does not contravene new government legislation.

* Bels beat North 3-1 in the Jackson League last night with goals from Laws, Zimmerman and Marquand.