Gauvain joins Bels in first summer coup
BELS did not hang about. Day one of the June transfer window and the Track-based club pulled off three signings, including a ‘big one’ in Charlton Gauvain.
In terms of stature within the domestic game, Gauvain is among the top-three, arguably only Ross Allen and island skipper Jamie Dodd sitting above the 19-year-old who, in early 2019, seemed likely to sign for Bristol City.
But with that door seemingly closed and Guernsey FC’s Isthmian League campaign on indefinite hold due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the island’s footballers appear keen to get their kicks in the FNB Priaulx League.
Bels, who will remain under the management of Alfie Le Page, also picked up the signatures of 2017 Muratti keeper Leroi Riley and full-back Selby Breaton, a first-choice at North last season.
Riley’s signing immediately solves a problem position for the blue-and-whites, who over a long period failed to replace long-time servant and title winner Rhys Gower.
While the latter agreed to help out in an emergency role last season, he had made it clear that it was merely temporary. Riley, who was outstanding in the 2017 Muratti final win, said he was glad to be back.
‘I enjoyed my time here as a youth player. It’s clear the club is in a rebuilding phase and I want to be part of it.’
Bels’ co-inhabitants at the Track, Manzur, have also agreed a significant new signing in the form of GFC and Muratti forward Matt Loaring.
Mark Romeril’s side already had a raft of GFC players signed with them, but the coach was delighted to have Loaring on board and also expects the long-sidelined Dave Rihoy to return to the game in their colours.
On signing Loaring, the Manzur coach said: ‘That was in the pipeline for ages’.
On Rihoy, he added: ‘It would be good to have him around.’
Manzur have also signed former GFC man Luke Winch, who for the last few seasons has been at Rovers.
‘It came out of the blue,’ admitted Romeril who has also gained a significant backroom signing in physio Dawn Thomas.
Romeril said that while having so many GFC-aligned players on board looks good and would make them a powerful proposition over an entire campaign, it also poses problems for him.
‘We have got to be careful because if we sign a load of players, what do you do with the lads who were there before and you will want around if and when the GFC players go back?’
