Guernsey FC is what's needed

THESE are potentially momentous times for football.

Guernsey FC's metamorphosis is almost complete. Hurray.

From the initial furore of two years ago with its casualties being Steve Ogier and the never-to-kick-a-ball Guernsey United, to the stage where a true community club is on the verge of creation and likely admission to a level six league in the UK.

I am tempted to write and I am touching wood as I type this one-handed, it is almost too good to be true.

But, it is close to happening and Guernsey's footballing landscape is not only on the verge of significant and belated change, but the most important development in the 117-year history of the GFA.

The domestic football pyramid will finally have the pinnacle it has so desperately required and generations of young talent can now look forward to a route into national football and the chance of a professional or semi-professional career.

Not even the most selfish and short-sighted football administrator can get in the way now and, were they to try, I believe such is the widespread belief in the project, particularly from the top players, top coaches and club officials, that those individuals would appear foolish.

That we are at this advanced stage owes everything to a sponsor who has shown every indication of wanting to do something special for community sport and, in so doing, make a real difference, the hard work of a pair of GFA directors who have refused to accept anything bar victory in this behind-the-scenes battle to take island football into exciting new territory, and also the island's senior football team, whose National League System Cup triumph not only gave the players an appetite for more challenges, but gave domestic supporters the opportunity to cheer their side on in a way the Muratti stars of the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s enjoyed.

It is a no-brainer.

In this modern world of sporting choices, it was no longer enough to whet the appetite of footballers by simply winning a Priaulx League medal or two, or a Muratti cap, although achieving both remains something to be truly proud of and I would not seek to belittle something I dearly would have loved to have achieved.

But in terms of true sporting achievement, football needs to aim higher than that level and the Guernsey FC route will offer a new pathway to the top for those talented boys coming through the youth ranks presently.

It should be the aim of starlets such as Ryan Lamb, the exciting young North winger, Sylvans' Robbie Legg, Rovers' Max Robin, Vale Rec's Charlie Laine and many more, not only to break into their clubs' first teams, but then kick on to Guernsey FC and perhaps then be snapped up by UK clubs with deeper pockets who are higher on the UK pyramid.

I can guarantee that each of those youngsters named will be a better footballer and closer to realising their footballing dreams by the presence of Guernsey FC than simply the limp domestic competitions we now have with its mix of talented but unchallenged, unfit under-20s and those who regard Division One football as little more than Saturday afternoon recreation.

Its standard is such that it will never get footballers challenging for the big annual sports awards and with Guernsey FC that could ultimately change.

Meanwhile, news that Guernsey FC will be run by a board or management committee and not by a collection of club reps can only be good and sensible.

The senior clubs have enough on their plate running themselves and, it seems, finding the personnel to run a new league management committee next summer.

I trust implicitly those behind GFC to find the people with the nous and sporting/business management skills to run it properly to a clear business plan.

The senior clubs will do well to fill the 'LMC' posts and that should be their priority as the whole culture of island football moves forward in the 21st century.

HIS season over, it would be amiss not to pay tribute to Andy Priaulx.

The record books will say he placed fourth in the World Touring Car Championship, but with six wins in a car which had no right to be at the front given its lack of competitiveness in the face of Seat and Chevrolet, in truth this may have been the Guernseyman's finest season, only without the ultimate reward.

Anyone who watches WTCC regularly will know that he is as good as there is, a superb driver whose competitive instinct shows no sign of slowing, even if the BMW 320si appears to be going backwards.

Next year, Volvo joins the WTCC club and the competition will probably get even harder, but Priaulx is up to it.

The question is, will his car be?'It was no longer enough to whet the appetite of footballers by simply winning a Priaulx medal or two, or a Muratti cap'