Athletes want to get back on track

TOP athletes have been left feeling like Footes Lane's poor relations after vital track sessions were cancelled, hindering Island Games qualification hopes.

Ahead of Guernsey FC's FA Vase semi-final clash at the venue last weekend, various measures were taken to try to ensure that the historic match was played as scheduled, despite heavy rain.

These included a helicopter drying the pitch on the morning of the game, which saw the track closed when some Island Games athletics hopefuls – the team has to be confirmed in just four weeks – had a training session planned.

That late cancellation, along with an alleged 'cutting off' of the floodlights four days earlier because of essential building work on the perimeter fence, has angered some athletes.

They also say that water drained off the pitch onto the track on the Thursday, making training difficult, while they found the track to be in a mess on the Sunday after the GFC game.