One mistake should not end a career
HE'S been on the ropes all week, but it is now time to back off Matt Jennings and let the heavyweight clear his head after the shock of his drugs conviction.
HE'S been on the ropes all week, but it is now time to back off Matt Jennings and let the heavyweight clear his head after the shock of his drugs conviction.
The fact is that everyone makes mistakes and to pay for his career, both as a fighter and a future coach, is harsher than some of the judges' decisions seen in amateur boxing.
Sadly, and erroneously on his part, Jennings' coach made the situation worse and produced his own standing count for his man, by shooting from the lip when first made aware of the boxer's conviction.
Fully 48 hours before the Guernsey Press made the story public, Guilbert reacted to the news by unequivocally saying that was that for his favourite boxer, it was the end of the road for the man who has done more than most to lift the sport's profile in recent times.
Unsurprisingly and understandably, Guilbert's view of the situation was subsequently clouded last weekend.
No doubt he began to take advice from others and some of those views will have been more sympathetic to the boxer.
Unfortunately, and I'm sure he now realises his mistake, Guilbert neglected to contact the Press with his updated view of the situation which then differed from Monday's front-page expose.
That he subsequently told other media that he had not spelled the end of Jennings' career, was rather naughty on his part.
Like his heavyweight, Guilbert was caught out, but I'd like to think it was down to inexperience in dealing with a very serious matter as opposed to a run-of-the-mill enquiry.
But, as they say, life goes on and now Jennings' future lies in the hands of the Amateur Boxing Association in the UK.
The ABA, apparently, takes every case on its merits and there is no set penalty for a boxer being found guilty of possession of illegal substances.
My hope is that they take a lenient view on Jennings as, for all the distaste I have for drugs and drug-takers, his crime is not worthy of losing a career.
It is clear he has been shaken by the episode and is prepared to take it on the chin – which is what all good heavyweights and sports do.
ANOTHER who has no choice but to take it on the jaw is Vale Rec and Guernsey goalkeeper Jody Bisson.
After 16 Muratti caps he seems in real danger of losing the gloves to Tom Le Tissier, at just 21, the man with a seemingly exciting future.
Bisson has not suddenly become a bad goalkeeper, but after a fallow period for Guernsey No. 1s, suddenly there are some serious rivals to Bisson for the jersey and, as the likes of Le Tissier and Richard Davey have come to the fore, it has coincided with a marginal dip in the Vale Rec man's performance.
There is no doubt he has it in him to add to his Muratti tally and challenge Gerve Brazier's record for most Muratti appearances for a goalkeeper – it stands at 19 – but his chances of doing just that are now in the hands of the Ranger who is also keeping for Leeds Metropolitan university side.
Is it right that Vance or any island boss should pick a player for a representative league XI when he is a regular in an entirely different one, is a question I have heard these past few days and it does have some validity.
But, I guess, the coach is desperate to give Le Tissier every opportunity to develop an understanding with his defence and, with our recent Muratti record, he needs to maximise every advantage he get his hands on.
