Lack of players prompts cup exit

On top of that, head coach Paul de Garis has quit in response to the players’ unproductive reaction to the situation and general attitude.

It is understood that only nine senior players have paid their GFA registration fees and with the St Peter’s club refusing to pay fees on behalf of the players, Sylvans informed the Guernsey Football League Management Committee of their decision to withdraw from the first-round game against Rovers on Monday morning.

Sylvans were aware of the potential issue some time ago and had given players a deadline of Sunday night to pay up, but the tactic did not work and the club regrettably felt they had no choice but to scratch the fixture, the first of four Rawlinson Cup games planned for this week.

‘It’s disappointing all-round and Paul has resigned,’ said assistant coach and former Sylvans head coach Martyn de Garis, who will stay on and was due to take training at Les Beaucamps last evening.

‘The players expectations did not match his unfortunately,’ said the elder de Garis brother who had come back to the club to assist his ambitious brother after the previous joint coaches quit halfway through last season.

‘We haven’t got enough players who have paid their subs. Only nine have,’ said Martyn.

‘We were only asking them to pay their GFA registration fee [£40] for now and the club is also struggling for cash.

‘The players haven’t responded though.

‘We had 19 at training last Thursday night but they just don’t want to part with their cash.’

The assistant coach said it was not only senior players who were refusing to part with their money at a time when the club have also seen their overall sponsorship deal with UCF end.

Sylvans senior players’ total subscription amounts to £140.

Meanwhile, club president Nigel Gallienne refutes a suggestion of a club cash flow issue.

'With some players being on leave and others injured we didn't have enough registered to raise a squad at this time. The season has come a bit early.'