‘We must keep a close eye on developments’
GUERNSEY should watch closely any further developments between the Jersey Football Association and Uefa, says Mark Le Tissier.
On returning to Springfield having seen their application for membership defeated at the Uefa Congress in Bratislava on Monday, JFA president Phil Austin said: ‘We have a higher profile, definitely. I know now that I can ring his [Uefa president Aleksaner Ceferin’s] office to arrange an appointment to discuss matters.’
During his days with the Guernsey FA when the island side won the FA National League System Cup and went on to represent England at the Uefa Regions Cup, Le Tissier was involved with talks about how best to develop local football, which led to the formation of Guernsey FC, of which he is now chairman.
He revealed this week that ideas were suggested back then, such as small nations tournaments, which have yet to come to fruition but if they did could benefit the Channel Islands and others.
‘I see that they [the JFA] are still hoping they will get some help in some way from Uefa and it will be very interesting to see what comes of that. If anything does, I think a lot of other small nations will be looking to go along to Uefa to see if they can get the same.
‘It may develop that Uefa have a different membership for small nations, which is something that was mooted when we [in Guernsey] were having discussions with the FA nine years ago.’
Le Tissier added that he was not surprised Jersey’s application for Uefa membership was voted against by the members, saying that when the English FA had already told Jersey they would not back their bid, that signalled how difficult it would be.
‘I fully understand why they have gone down that route and what they are trying to achieve – it’s about the development of Jersey football,’ he said.
‘But it’s a long shot. They would have spent a lot of time and money chasing something that you’d have to ask, was it achievable?’
Meanwhile, Guernsey Muratti boss Chris Tardif said he was keener to concentrate on the issues involving Sarnian football and ‘making sure the product is right here’.
But he added: ‘I do know a lot of the top Jersey players would love a GFC of their own.
‘I’d see more merit in a JFC product from the point of view of the players and players’ improvement. GFC has been a great product for us.’
