Hundreds took advantage of the sunny and calm conditions to walk and cycle to the ground while many took heed of the ‘park and stride’ mantra and left their cars at the Salerie car park for the afternoon.
Although some congestion was reported along the seafront before kick-off and at the end of the game, there was no traffic chaos at the top of Victoria Avenue.
With the crowd gathering around the pitch before the start, Victoria Park director Rob Jones was looking on with satisfaction.
‘We want to focus on the match today and the experience,’ he said.
He was pleased that the lack of parking at the ground had not deterred people.
‘We’ve done our very best to get information out about how best to get here. But there’s been a pitch next door for 100 years, and with the greatest respect we couldn’t build 400 parking spaces.’
The ground has a capacity of about 3,000, he said, with 600 able to sit. But even those who stand should be kept relatively dry in wet weather in future thanks to the covered terraces behind each goal.
Saturday’s maiden match saw special guest Lt-Governor Lt General Richard Cripwell officially open the venue at 12.15pm before watching the game with his wife, Louise, and the Bailiff, Sir Richard McMahon.
‘It’s thrilling to be so close to the action,’ said Mrs Cripwell. ‘It’s lovely to see all the children coming and getting the new kit and getting really involved.’
Youngsters were also the main users of the noise-making items on offer, including inflatable ‘thundersticks’ which, along with the fan-like ‘clackers’ were put to good use when the home team trotted out for the first time.
Mark Phillips, sitting in The Hands’ Stand on the far side of the pitch, said his twin 12-year-old boys were in a group behind one of the goals that got a chant or two going.
He said he was not a regular match-goer but had been present for the last Guernsey FC game at Footes Lane.
‘I wouldn’t say I follow them, but maybe with this new facility we might come and watch them a bit more,’ he said.
Ready to make some noise with her clacker was player Matt Loaring’s daughter, Thea-Rose, 4, who was hoping that a goal from dad would really give her something to celebrate.
Sitting with her was Loaring’s girlfriend Georgie Bishop, who was impressed with the new pitch and facilities.
‘It’s exciting to see it,’ she said. ‘We used to go to Footes Lane but this being solely for football is really good.’
It might be solely for football, but it is not solely for Guernsey FC. Yesterday the focus was on grassroots, with a morning football festival for boys and one in the afternoon for girls and it will also see regular use by schools and community groups will be able to hire the facilities.
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