Big crowd is the wish when the Ravens fly in
THE Green Lions have aspirations to match or even surpass the sell-out crowd that saw them in FC Isle of Man’s inaugural fixture when they host the rematch next month.
Guernsey FC end their long spell of home inactivity on the evening of Saturday 12 September when they host the Ravens in their first game at Footes Lane in February.
The match will kick off at 6.30pm in an attempt to avoid any clashes with domestic first-team football and GFC manager Tony Vance hopes that it will encourage a bumper attendance.
‘We are very lucky to have a game in front of our own crowd to look forward to. In the Isle of Man we had a 2,300 sell-out watching us and it would be outstanding if we could get anywhere near that figure, although as an optimistic and aspirational club, we would like to beat it,’ he said.
‘Raiders had a big crowd when they hosted Douglas RUFC on the same day we were in the Isle of Man, so that’s proof there is definitely an appetite for this kind of fixture and hopefully we can attract good numbers along. That’s the aim and the club are working very hard behind the scenes on a few different initiatives to make it into a day out for the family.
‘It’s really exciting for everybody involved in the club – not just the players, but the supporters as well. It is an opportunity for people to watch some new opposition in what will be a very challenging game of football.
‘I know there is also a great deal of excitement in the Isle of Man about their trip here and I understand they will be bringing a few supporters over, so that’s another tick in the box for the air bridge.’
GFC were originally eyeing a return fixture for next year but the teams bonded so well on their first meeting and enjoyed the occasion so much that they committed to a rematch at the earliest possible opportunity.
On the playing front, the Green Lions will be looking to make amends for the 1-0 defeat they suffered against the Ravens at The Bowl.
‘We had a good six or seven missing from that trip, so it would be good to see of few of those available,’ said Vance.
‘It would be nice to have a full squad to pick from – but I don’t think that’s happened in nine years,’ he joked.
‘I’m sure FC Isle of Man will be bringing over a strong squad as they look to maintain their momentum.’
Manx chairman Gary Weightman termed the announcement of the match ‘really great news’ as they anticipate debuting at Step 6 in England’s non-league system.
‘We are very grateful to Guernsey FC for reciprocating our recent invitation for them to visit the Isle of Man, and we look forward to having another good game against the Lions,’ he added.
‘We found the recent game really valuable in our preparation for the season ahead and I am sure Guernsey FC had the same view.
‘[It] could have gone either way at certain points, so I am expecting another tight game.
‘The two islands have developed great respect for each other in recent years and that was evident during Guernsey FC’s recent visit to our island, and now we have the opportunity to travel to their home and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone once again.’
