Thanks to the chairman who delivered

If Johnson is as successful in the new role as he was in the early transformation of Guernsey rugby, he will be a welcome fresh face and incisive thought process at the top of the GCB.

But, we should not quickly forget the positive role Nussbaumer has played in the running of the game since the formation of the GCB.

He has helped ride out the difficult times in terms of severe financial constraints, he has always been there to show his face, entertain often at his own expense, and provide a cheery smile and view on life.

Guernsey have been able to attract top cricketers from the UK to either play, speak and help raise important funds.

Without his willingness to involve himself to such a huge extent and show so much passion, Johnson would not have so much to look forward to.

On behalf of all cricketers, thanks should go to a highly-visible leader – who did it for the right reasons.

MANZUR coach Mark Romeril made a valid point this week when he said that FA Cup quarter-finals deserved more than to be plonked on the KGV.

Some will agree with him, others won’t.

But isn’t his view symptomatic of how Island football, in general, now regards the competition which started out as a great idea, proved something of a triumph for a handful of years, but has long failed to ignite huge interest.

That, it has to be said, was largely down to the arrival of Guernsey FC now fully 10 years ago.

The Green Lions have scooped up the big sponsors, the GFA have been unable to find a major player to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Fletchersports and Crimestoppers, and without a big cash prize and the wider interest now surrounding GFC, the FA Cup had been diminished. It’s shame, as the concept remains good.

Sponsors could come back but for that to happen it certainly needs to be more elite and special than it currently is and involve the Green Lions players when they inevitably get back up and running.

How, you might ask?

Well, limiting the entry would be a start. Our 10 Priaulx League clubs, four of the best Lancaster One clubs and a couple of Jersey invites would do nicely.

The proliferation of Lancaster One, Two and Three sides do little for the image of the competition. They need and should have their own league cup.

Reinstating Footes Lane as the venue for the final would help also but, more than anything, it needs the input of the best players who, naturally, are aligned to GFC commitments.

And it is that which will stymie any revival and probably deter sponsors.

So we are back to square one.

The Guernsey FA Cup is relevant this year because the best are playing, but from next season when Mr Covid has been downed, it won’t.

GFC and the fight for the Priaulx will grab the most attention.

And that’s why you can’t blame GFLM for treating the current competition as a non-spectacle. They can see that in the greater scheme of things, it is destined to return to the platform of irrelevance.