Football must shed its defiant image

THE best part of a decade ago, Gary Tapp sat in the presidential chair before the Guernsey Cricket Association membership and, in a nutshell, said: 'Do it our way or get a new committee.'

We all squirmed. We, the clubs, hated the gun-to-the-head approach and reluctantly caved in.

But don't you know? The Tapp approach did us all a favour and local cricket is now in its best ever shape with exciting pathways to success, a development programme to be proud of, better facilities and a vibrant weekend championship.

Football, in contrast, shakes its collective head and shouts: 'You can't do that.' Peter Ferbrache, the advocate, will chair Monday's open forum debate at the Cobo Bay Hotel into the future of island football.