INSIDE TRACK: Now you are talking, GFC
TONY VANCE’S Green Lions will never be the ‘loadsamoney’ Newcastle of the Isthmian South Central but surely all GFC fans will be cheered to hear that in the last knockings of 2021 the club are getting into gear for a new push, the one the manager had wanted.
The signings of Tom Jackson and Cal Stanton may not be the statement signings Eddie Howe’s Toon Army are predicted to indulge themselves with, but in our terms they should be regarded as big news, especially if the former is the mix of Chris Dyer and Brian Knight that Steve Sharman likens him to.
For those of you too young to have seen either play, let me tell you that is is quite a juicy combination, almost incendiary.
Knight was astute, neat, stylish and a fierce competitor, a winner which he was when he led Guernsey to Muratti success in his only clash with the Caesareans.
As for Dyer, well if he was playing for GFC now we would not be languishing in 18th spot. Were he and Knight alongside each other the Green Lions would be pushing for promotion.
The signings, added to the return of Jacob Fallaize, should suddenly give all GFC fans justifiable confidence that from 18th spot on New Year’s Eve the only way is up and we can be the challenging team Tony Vance believes GFC can be.
Suddenly, the 2022 Lions will have much needed extra spine and the side will not be relative midgets to the giants of the Isthmian.
A proven goalkeeper who can command his six-yard area is a big tick.
A youthful, athletic centre back with a huge leap – another big tick.
A youthful and commanding central midfielder who can play – it is a hat-trick, you could say.
Is it asking too much of a youthful and powerful No. 9 in the form of Will Fazakerley to soon get fit and really rise to the occasion?
Were that the case the rebuild GFC have long needed would be well down the road.
Important in all this is the bonus that the men ticking the boxes are not amateur mercenaries and have strong local links.
Jackson – grandparents live here.
Stanton – has long wanted to live here.
Fallaize – always did before his spell at US university.
Being the greedy fan I would still welcome a proven striker to: (a) take some pressure off Ross Allen; and (b) provide the strength and leadership for the hopeful emergence next season of a young North striker biding some important time in the domestic ranks.
