Guernsey Deputy Chief Officer Phil Breban has been playing in the match for more than 40 years, and for more than half of them he has been up against DS Jim McGranahan from Jersey Police.
‘1983 was my first game, when I first joined the police,’ said DCO Breban, who will be retiring in the summer, having just turned 60. ‘I’ve played in all but five, which was due to Covid, and two or three holidays, but I’ve been here for every other game, either in Jersey or Guernsey. The most memorable game when I was probably five years in, about 1988. I got man of the match, scored, and we won 3-1.
'I’m really going to miss playing in this match, and I’ve already said I’ll go and run the line next year in Jersey.’
He said that Jersey had probably won two-thirds of the games he had played over the years.
‘It’s a typical Guernsey-Jersey rivalry when you’re on the pitch, but best of mates before and after. It can get a bit emotional and challenging, but all in a good nature.’
His Jersey colleague DS Jim McGranahan, also 60 and due to retire this year, paid tribute to his opposition number.
‘I don’t think we would be playing these matches without the work Phil has done, they would have died off years ago,’ he said.
‘There is obviously a massive inter-island rivalry but these games are about building bridges. I’m going miss it, 100%.’
Both the senior officers started the match on the substitute’s bench. The game ended 1-1 and Jersey won on penalties.
‘It was a great competitive match once again, played in a great spirit,’ said DCO Breban.
‘Jim and I were both down to take the sixth penalty which would have been a great way to finish, but unfortunately we’d already lost after the first five.’
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