Special significance to Sylvans against Saints

As part of Sylvans Sports Club’s 100th anniversary celebrations, it is hoped that a big crowd will attend the Priaulx League game on Saturday 19 March.

The Westerners’ first ever game was against Saints in the Mauger Cup, with the established Priaulx League side winning 8-1.

‘We are looking to recreate the atmosphere of Priaulx League match days of yesteryear and in doing so make the 100th anniversary of this particular fixture extra special,’ said Sylvans president Adrian Brown.

‘On 4 October 1922, the newly-registered Sylvans played their first match against St Martin’s AC. While we may be a few months early, we want to recreate the atmosphere of that exciting day for all the family and make the 100th anniversary of this fixture extra special. Fundamental to the success of the day is to attract as big a crowd as possible to the match,’ added Jason Le Ray of the organising committee.

The gate price for adults will be £3, but all under-16s and over-65s will have free access to the game. Extra parking will be made available.

Islanders and all those connected to both clubs are invited to the game and encouraged to arrive early to make a real afternoon of what promises to be a top class game of Priaulx League football.

Kick-off will be at 2pm, but fans are encouraged to arrive early from 12.45pm to secure the best vantage points and enjoy the pre-match atmosphere.

The Corbet Cup squads (Year 6) from both clubs will play a friendly match from 12.45pm. The club canteen and bar will be open early and remain open after the game.

The wearing of respective club colours is encouraged.

Sylvans first-team coach Martyn de Garis said that while everyone is looking forward to the occasion, he joked that he hopes the result will not repeat itself.

‘It’s important to everyone at the club, young and old, and we are all excited about it,’ he said.

‘There has been an awful lot of work done by people for the club and it will be good to say thank you to them.’

De Garis’s side have a more pressing engagement tomorrow as they face fellow Wheway Cup contenders North as fourth host third at St Peter’s in the FNB Priaulx League.

‘It’s a big game for both clubs,’ said the Sylvans coach.

‘It is the start of an important run of games for us and after these next few weeks we should know roughly what this season holds.

‘North need the points as well to finish as high as they can, so it should be a really hard-fought game.’

In tomorrow afternoon’s other Priaulx League encounters, Manzur face Vale Rec at the KGV while Rovers host Alderney at Port Soif.

All three fixtures kick off at 2pm.