‘We out-sang them, shame about result’
GUERNSEY lost on the pitch, but returning fans said they won in the stands as most returned to the island in good spirits.
Jersey regained the Muratti Vase after beating Guernsey 1-0 at Springfield, but police said yesterday that there had been no trouble with returning fans and that no arrests had been made.
Among those getting the boat home on Saturday evening were friends Connor Bayes, 19, Brad Smith, 19, Morgan Price, 18, Scott Bates, 18, and Tom Hagerich, 18, who were heading into Town.
‘I haven’t been over to Jersey for it before but I will from now on,’ said Mr Bayes.
‘I think we were the better fans, I didn’t hear much from the Jersey fans,’ he said.
‘We out-sang them,’ added Mr Smith. ‘It would have been better if we had won but our fans were great, we were too loud for them.’
Mr Price said it had been a good day, but that the match itself did not live up to expectations.
‘It is a good rivalry,’ he said.
‘I don’t think either team really deserved to win.’
Fencing was put up around the stadium to prevent rival fans from mixing and to help avoid a repeat of unruly fan behaviour in St Helier two years ago.
Mr Bates and Mr Hagerich both thought the fencing around the pitch was overkill, and that it had dampened the atmosphere.
‘They should get rid of the fences,’ said Mr Bates.
‘The atmosphere is nothing on Footes Lane,’ he added.
Nick Le Blond and his wife Betty, who had managed to get two of the seats allocated for Guernsey fans in the grandstand, said the Muratti was always enjoyable.
‘It’s just a pity about the result,’ said Mr Le Blond. ‘It is always good to go over there and beat Jersey. We will have them next year,’
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