Where has the pride gone?

I am an old man now and have been involved in football all my life. I can remember when a player selected for the island football team pulled the shirt over his head and wore it with pride. Today it seems it is just another game to the players.

The problem is some think we are better then we really are and it is noticeable that some players think they are God's gift and the team only have to turn out to win. It is also noticeable to anyone who wants to be honest that Guernsey football is only interested in the money they can get from the FA.

Let's be honest when looking back on how much the GFA have done to improve football in the island. For a start the women's game was really strong and Jersey could not get anywhere near us. They beat our neighbouring island time and time again when they ran themselves, but once they were forced to come under the GFA banner (an organisation that is not really interested in them) the writing was on the wall for them to go backwards.

From having many clubs they have deteriorated to three or four. They are looked down on and, at times, referees have not even turned up for their games. They even had a thriving five-a-side league until the GFA stepped in, and now they have no league at all.

As for the men's game. Back in 2008 the GFA decided to change the face of local football with the one man, one club/team system and everyone had to be under their banner. That was when the now so-called social leagues (who the GFA have tried get rid of for years) decided to go it alone.

In fact, what have the GFA really accomplished from 2008 when they changed the name of the Priaulx League – and did away with the Railway League? By what I can see, the only difference being the forming of the Guernsey FC, and the introduction of an over-35s league that players under 35 play in. Much like the England under-21 team that played over-21-aged people as guest players?

Okay, we had a good run with Guernsey FC, but I think any real football supporter worth their salt would have known the first two seasons were not going to test us too much. Now the pressure is on it does seem there are not so many players willing to travel.

I remember when it was a real battle against Jersey and the outcome was always in doubt – in respect that even if either island was considered to be the weaker team on occasions the favourites had to work damn hard to beat the underdogs and sometimes did not.

It seemed that pulling on a Guernsey shirt at the end of the season instead of every week added to the pride felt.

The build-up to the game v. Jersey would involve 20 or so players selected to play at the Track on a Sunday morning for three weeks before the big game. The teams would be called the probables v the possibles. Each week the coach or selection committee of that time would change the players around to play with and/or against each other.

And it was never a question of whether a player made himself available or not either – every player was willingly available. Then we would go on to contest the Jersey mob with pride and determination because one had worked hard to earn the right to wear that green and white shirt.

The GFA are gutted about losing to Jersey twice over the weekend – how do they think the true Guernsey person feels?

It is time for some of the players (and I am not saying they are all like that) to get down off their high horse of thinking they are God's gift and stand up for the fight. If we are going to be beaten at least let's make the opposition fight for the honour and right to say they beat us.

It may be just another game for a player to put the green and white shirt on, but for me I couldn't give a damn if we never win a game against English opposition, but when it comes to Jersey there is no other result that matters other then to beat them (perhaps not an opinion the GFA will agree with).

Sorry to all the people who really do their best and are let down by others, but the state of Guernsey football and what is happening behind the scenes is not acceptable. Especially when the GFA are trying to stop youngsters from playing any kind of football that is not sanctioned by them.

The GFA may advertise they do great things for football at grassroots level – but in truth they do not. Dictatorship is not the way to go folks.

ROD HAMON,

5, Rosemount, Mont Arrive,

St Peter Port, GY1 2AF.