Stanton’s departure leaves a ‘huge hole’

That is the dilemma that Tony Vance faces with the news that brilliant goalkeeper Callum Stanton is leaving Guernsey FC after three years’ service to further his career in the UAE.

Stanton signed for the Green Lions initially on loan from Bournemouth, quickly becoming a fan favourite, and when he was not retained by the Cherries, he opted to become a permanent signing for GFC despite receiving better offer higher up the pyramid.

Now, though, he has being given the opportunity to join a club in Dubai and will soon be heading out to his new home.

‘There’s a huge hole to fill,’ said GFC manager Vance.

‘He is outstanding. You can see why he had a career in the pro game and he simply should have been playing at a much higher level, but we were very fortunate to have him and the fact that he loved playing for us is a testament to the type of person that he is.

‘He won us games and stopped us losing games, but for his career and his ability, he needs to be playing at a higher level.’

The player himself thanked everyone at GFC for ‘letting me join their family’.

‘Unfortunately for the time being my time at the club has come to an end as I’ve been offered a very exciting offer in Dubai and I couldn’t really turn it down,’ Stanton told GuernseyFC.com.

‘Guernsey is a brilliant club and leaving was a very tough decision.

‘I love Guernsey so you won’t have seen the last of me. Hopefully I haven’t put on a Guernsey shirt for the last time and I hope that one day in the future I can return to reach 100 appearances and beyond,’ added the keeper who appeared 94 times for GFC.

As for who will take Stanton’s place between the sticks, Vance revealed the obvious first step is to look close to home.

‘I guess it’s up for grabs,’ he said.

‘Josh [Addison] did well well in the Isle of Man and made some outstanding saves.’

That game against FC Isle of Man last Saturday in front of a sell-out crowd ended 1-0 to the host thanks to Jack McVey’s penalty.

‘It was a great occasion for the Isle of Man and, if I’m honest, they did more than enough to win the game in terms of creating chances,’ Vance said.

‘It was a bit frustrating that the goal they scored, in my opinion, should not have been a penalty and we could have had a couple, but on balance of play they deserved the win.’