GFC won’t put island at risk
GUERNSEY FC won’t put islanders’ health at risk when they return to competitive action, possibly as early as mid September.
The Isthmian League expects to recommence on Saturday 19 September but whether the Green Lions will be able to fulfil that opening game remains unknown, said club chairman Mark Le Tissier.
‘The last thing we want to do is be responsible for bringing the virus back into the island. That would be just awful. We couldn’t be responsible for that,’ said Le Tissier, who is now seeking clarification from the local authorities as to what they can and can’t do to fulfil home and away fixtures.
Domestically, footballs will be kicked competitively again in just a fortnight’s time.
Following the latest FA guidelines released over the weekend, Guernsey can expect to see a resumption on Monday 3 August with the first quarter-final of the Rawlinson Cup, which will be played over a 12-day period.
Guernsey FC players will have to wait at least six weeks longer to get back playing for the Green Lions, possibly longer, despite the green light being given for a 19 September start of the 2020-21 season, probably at least a fortnight ahead of what GFC had been expecting.
After the FA go-ahead, Tony Vance’s men start full pre-season this evening.
GFC chairman Mark Le Tissier said that ‘clearly the first thing we have to do now is to be speaking to the local authorities here.
‘We will be making contact with them today as to what we can and can’t do.
‘Internally, as a club, we have had discussions to discuss certain aspects.’
But, as you might have expected, GFC have already had discussions with the Isthmian League officials as to the Green Lions’ possible predicament.
Le Tissier is not concerned.
‘We have made enquiries with the league and they have given us some assurances that we won’t be prejudiced. But what that means, we don’t know.’
It could mean agreed delayed fixtures, but so much depends on Dr Nicola Brink’s stance.
That process of discovering what GFC need to do to be able to resume playing league football, will probably take two weeks said Le Tissier.
Meanwhile, Phil Corbet, chairman of the Guernsey Football League Management board that is responsible for domestic fixtures, said he was ‘really happy with the outcome’ and that there would be a wealth of football played at all levels throughout August.
‘We are looking to kick off from the weekend of the 8th,’ said Corbet.
‘I’m absolutely delighted we can get underway from the 1st and after the Rawlinson [run independently by hosts Belgraves] the first weekend of GFLM competitive football will be from that weekend, 8th-9th.
‘We will make a decision on when we will start the youth and lower leagues in the next few days.’
An U16s festival is pencilled in for 16 August.
Island football faces no restrictions from day one, which is not the case with the UK non-league scene.
The FA say that a return to competitive football should only happen once clubs and facility providers have completed the necessary risk assessments and ‘comprehensive plans are in place’.
Le Tissier has read through those very detailed guidelines and said ‘there is nothing in the guidance that isn’t insurmountable.
‘But our situation, of course, is different to that of the UK clubs.’
Those UK guidlines say that ‘everyone should self-assess for COVID-19 symptoms before every training session or match’.
On top of that rigorous cleaning should take place and the FA say goal celebrations should be avoided.
Where possible, players, coaches and officials should arrive changed and shower at home. Use of changing and shower facilities must follow government advice on the use of indoor facilities.
Clubs should keep a record of attendees at a match or training session, including contact details, to support NHS Test and Trace.
Director of Football Development at The FA, James Kendall, said: ‘We’re delighted that the government has given the go-ahead for competitive grassroots football to return. The past few months have been some of the most challenging times not just for football, but across society, and today’s news will be welcomed by the grassroots football community all over the country.
‘Now that we are able to look ahead to the new season, it’s crucial that we continue to do all we can to follow safety measures, both as advised by the government and specifically for football.
‘I would encourage anyone returning to competitive grassroots football to take the time to read this guidance, prepare thoroughly and to adopt our recommended approach to phasing football back in.’
