Summer football moves a step closer

‘We can’t have two years of no conclusion with two-thirds of fixtures played,’ said Phil Corbet, the Guernsey Football League Management chairman yesterday.

Corbet said ultimately the decision on whether the three ‘Uptons’ – senior, U18s and U16s – go ahead is out of its hands, but the two islands were determined to press on without any guarantee that the governments will allow inter-island travel for sport.

‘We have more than enough options to conclude a season,’ said Corbet even if the current hiatus stretches out to the end of March.

‘If we can get a [end of March or before] start we will definitely be looking to be going to the end of May and perhaps into June. It depends on the re-start date,’ added Corbet who also confirmed that a decision has already been made to drop one rotation of the Lancaster One – previously the Jackson League – which is a long way from completing its 21-match schedule.

‘But in terms of Uptons, the big decider will be the travel between the islands.’

A determination to conclude the season was welcomed by Kevin Gillease, coach to the FNB Priaulx League leaders Rovers.

‘It would be such a shame if the season again got completely cancelled.

‘The hard work everyone puts in in terms of preparation for it, the training, looking after pitches and the games played, would all be wasted. It would be a big shame not to finish and I’m not saying that because we are top,’ he added.

Gillease has no problem with playing into June.

‘I’m all for it. You wouldn’t want to go into July because it is likely to get too hot and the pitches too dry and hard.

‘As for early evening kick-offs – they are what they are you have to deal with it.’