Drainage, not 3G, the best solution?

But having a 3G pitch at their disposal is perhaps more of a pipe dream than a realistic situation, given the ground rules which would be put in place by the Football Association, as it would be based on local community football needs as identified in a local football facility plan, benefit community clubs and leagues and, crucially, be accessible at peak times for community football.

Rovers club president Paul Porter said: ‘Personally I think a programme of drainage and irrigation for all GFA clubs would be very welcome.

‘Given a significant budget and someone else footing the bill (as at Footes Lane), grass pitches can stand up to most of the weather and are the best surface.

‘3G facilities don’t last forever and will need replacing over time at great expense. Who picks up that cost?,’ asked the Port Soif supremo.

Rangers, Guernsey’s oldest club, rents the King George V Field 3G and new president Guy Hardill says it is important to have a mix of grass and 3G surfaces.

‘I would like to think our pitch is in really good shape at the moment, but like everyone else’s it is more than susceptible to the elements throughout the season, and there are definite improvements we could do with resources,’ he said.

‘Shane Moon [Footes Lane groundsman] has spoken to me about easy win improvements and a grant like this, if there was some release to each club, would be hugely beneficial for a pitch upgrade, or to spend on the club building, depending on the terms of the grant.

‘Whether or not the pitch [at St Andrew’s] is changed to 3G, the cost would be significant and I do feel clubs need to retain grass pitches to sit alongside 3G.

‘Rangers do benefit from the KGV facility and this in turn takes the strain off our own pitch for training and some matches.

‘Every club can always use extra funding for various projects and I hope, should Wembley be sold and funds released to the GFA, that this is for the benefit of all players of football in Guernsey and equally so to all clubs who nurture players from Reception to senior football.’

Andy Robert, new president at Belgraves, Guernsey’s third oldest club, and based at The Track, which has hosted football since the 1890s, said ‘It would have to be a yes in principle’, but having not discussed the matter with key associates was unwilling to add more.