Guernsey Preparation.

[Smudge]

Just my opinion,but did the C.C.L.Clubs really understand what a hard task awaited them, when they elected Guernsey into this League.Lets take travelling so far 1 Team went on Friday,which to them made perfect sense,and I can see the reasons behind it.Nice and relaxed before a game,but maybe too relaxed in my opinion.The next 2 Teams met at 6 am Saturday Morning to make a 7.30am flight from Gatwick,arriving in Guernsey at 8.30am,then taken to a hotel by coach,to book in but not have a room to relax in.1 Team went to the ground at 10am,the other went out to wander round St Peters Port,returning to the Hotel at 12.45pm,to be taken to the ground at 1 pm for 3pm K.O.Everything that has been laid on by Guernsey F.C HAS BEEN FIRST CLASS,from the Parking,Flight,Hotel,Coach,and Cones,Balls,Medical Kit etc.But lets look back to Guernsey's Pre-Season games they kicked of at 6pm,WHY,in my opinion because they were Professional sides,who dont rise at 5.30am to prepare for a Match.Then we have the Reverse side of the coin,being the Professional outfit that Guernsey are they want 1 pm K.O's.and many teams are accomodating them,C.B Hounslow this week have.The reason is both Financial and good preparation,less hanging about for Players,and saving on an overnight stay.Maybe you have not noticed but when they have played 2 Night Games against C.C.L. sides,they have not kept a clean sheet or even Won.Strange not in my book.I have said from the beginning that Guernsey are CERTAINTIES for promotion,because in Zico Black for one they are different class.Can or has a Team ever not conceded a Goal at home in any level of Football,Guernsey could be the First.

[Krooner]

Sometimes you have to be felxible to be ground breakers. Fair play to the CCL and to all the clubs in assisting Guernsey. Looking forward to my trip out there next year

[GY1]

Smudge, you're always rolling out the same old story. Teams only have to travel over here once or possibly twice a season as opposed to Guernsey travelling every other week. Strange how the early starts and travel haven't really affected our team that much. I'm sure the other teams in the league are either looking forward to their trip away or have enjoyed their experience so far.

 

I know it's your opinion but you need to change the record and give Guernsey a break.

[Guernsey Wag]

Hi Smudge,

 

I have read your post with interest and would like to make a few coments on it. Firstly I know everyone involved with the club will be pleased that people are appreciating everything that the club is doing to make the visiting teams experience as easy and enjoyable as possible. Everybody behind the scenes is working very hard to ensure that this first season in the CCL goes as smoothly as possible. The Guernsey players, coaching staff and fans are very aware of the effort that the teams have to make to accomodate Guernsey in the CCL and the directors always make a point of publicly thanking the teams at the end of each game. As Maisie Cat commented on an earlier thread the applause form the crowd at the end of each match is also directed at the away players as well as our boys.

It is actually much harder for Guernsey than the other CCL teams to cope with the away travel as we have to do it 17 times a season plus cup games wheras the other teams have to manage it just once a season. I agree it does make more sense for the teams to come over on friday eve but maybe there are work commitments that prevent players from doing this. Also Guernsey had to agree to have away mid week games but not vice versa. However we are not complaining about this as everyone involved with the club is relishing the experience that non league football has to offer.

Your comments about our mid week away games may be valid but also the first match was a friendly in which the coaches were experimenting with and we were actually very pleased with an away point at H W. They are a good team!!A clean sheet at home all season? Now theres a challenge : )

Have you visited a home match in Guernsey yet Smudge? Do come and say hi if you do.

Just to finish Guernsey are the 18th best supported side in non league football at the mo and also we won the fair play award for August in Div one. Well done to all!!

[newby marvel]

guernsey posters last game of season you will concede most definetly i havent scored for two seasons im leaving it for you lot to relish me rising like a salmon at the far post if the gaffer lets me up on corners lol

 

im gona relish playing infront of all the support if anybody says otherwise about themselves they shouldnt be playing football

[Footy Mad]

Like most other officials I am hoping to be selected for one of Guernsey's home games.

Good to have them in the league and they are setting a standard for others to follow

[NICE GUY]

Hi Smudge,

 

I have read your post with interest and would like to make a few coments on it. Firstly I know everyone involved with the club will be pleased that people are appreciating everything that the club is doing to make the visiting teams experience as easy and enjoyable as possible. Everybody behind the scenes is working very hard to ensure that this first season in the CCL goes as smoothly as possible. The Guernsey players, coaching staff and fans are very aware of the effort that the teams have to make to accomodate Guernsey in the CCL and the directors always make a point of publicly thanking the teams at the end of each game. As Maisie Cat commented on an earlier thread the applause form the crowd at the end of each match is also directed at the away players as well as our boys.

It is actually much harder for Guernsey than the other CCL teams to cope with the away travel as we have to do it 17 times a season plus cup games wheras the other teams have to manage it just once a season. I agree it does make more sense for the teams to come over on friday eve but maybe there are work commitments that prevent players from doing this. Also Guernsey had to agree to have away mid week games but not vice versa. However we are not complaining about this as everyone involved with the club is relishing the experience that non league football has to offer.

Your comments about our mid week away games may be valid but also the first match was a friendly in which the coaches were experimenting with and we were actually very pleased with an away point at H W. They are a good team!!A clean sheet at home all season? Now theres a challenge : )

Have you visited a home match in Guernsey yet Smudge? Do come and say hi if you do.

Just to finish Guernsey are the 18th best supported side in non league football at the mo and also we won the fair play award for August in Div one. Well done to all!!

 

New club, 18th best supported non-league club...........an amazing effort by Guernsey who, went about it the right way by getting excellent media attention to fight their cause.

 

G-WAG, with respect to HW who you state are a good team, then you may well be surprised of the CCL Premier standard, so heavens knows what you may think of them...........Very Good, Excellent maybe ! Promotion looks good for Guernsey even at this stage of the season, but I think the next step up you obviously find more difficult by still using the same best players in Guernsey ? I think next season, it will be a good teast for the Guernsey players to find their personal ability levels !

 

 

Yes G-WAG well done to all those associated with Guernsey you really have imposed your club as a decent, hard working club which wants to achieve in the most respectable manner. Yes, there was always and still will be teething problems especially when the hard winter days falls upon us, then we will hear some more moans no doubt !

 

I have posted many-a-time that Guernsey are a breath of fresh air to the CCL and that the CCL board plus the associated clubs should take a pat on the back for accepting them. I for one am not too sure the size of the publicy this has brought to all involved with the CCL but one should enjoy the fact of the media attention Guernsey bring.

 

Lastly, as mentioned before, what a moment for the visiting players, management staff and officers to appreciate the Guernsey effort, organisation and support to have THEIR players perform in front of +1500 spectators. So enjoy the moment one and all, it may only happen to you once in one's career, so let's not knock Guernsey 'cos they are making players dreams come true by wanting to play in front of a large crowd come, win lose or draw, it's the experience that one should enjoy !

Edited September 7, 2011 by NICE GUY

[newby marvel]

i at bedfont sports hope that we get to play against you twice more!!

 

ng has said it also as have many more guernsey are a breath of fresh air for this league and although alot of people dont like change it has given this league a massive boost an there definetly here for at least two seasons though i reckon three we should be enjoying having them an enjoy our experiance going to play them away!

there is alot of players in this league who could , should and did play at a better level but for right or wrong choices well guernsey are giving you a little taste of what many could have been playing infront of week in week out so enjoy your day just hope for a low scoring game because i cant see them losing many at home!!

rabbits in headlights maybe?? treat it as a cup final like you should any game but with a bumper crowd!!

[Redrup No2]

Totally agree newby, cannot wait to play in guernsey! What an experience!!

[Smudge]

Sometimes you have to be felxible to be ground breakers. Fair play to the CCL and to all the clubs in assisting Guernsey. Looking forward to my trip out there next year

 

Camberley not to get promotion then Kroons?

[NCEL fan]

Well, Guernsey WAG, couldn't agree more that GFC are the ones who have to do it 17+ times this season so one decent trip to the island for the other sides really isn't a massive hardship, as noted by some of the players on here who clearly can't wait to get over.

 

As a former Guernsey resident with family over there, I've been to my first 2 GFC games in the last week or so - one in the UK and one in Guernsey. Two very different experiences but both very impressive. The spirit of the many Guernsey fans (some of whom are based in the UK) at Cobham was terrific - very friendly and clearly all excited to be in the CCL. The team didn't play quite as well as I'd expected but were still far superior with the result never in danger.

 

The game on Saturday was like being at a lower league or at least conference level game. The atmosphere, though a little reserved and perhaps lacking the "edge" of some seasoned clubs' hardcore fans, was friendly and at times quite noisy, particularly in the first half hour when Guernsey really battered WP. Their performance was much better than the previous Monday's. They played at a very high tempo, passed the ball well throughout the team and created a glut of chances with pace and movement in the final third. I don't think Zico Black is their best player, in fact, all 11 were very impressive with Tardif, Mackay, Allen, Dyer and Cochrane looking particularly good - as did Heaume for the short period he was on the pitch (the WP number 4's elbows got through a bit of work in the first 10 mins trying to find a more alternative way to stem the tide!). I think it is fair to say that WP looked completely overwhelmed in the first half hour, and maybe that is the case with all the teams who have gone across there so far.

 

The whole experience was top class - they are better than I thought they'd be and can only get better as they learn more about the game in English non league circles. They won't win every game from now until the end of the season but I've upgraded them from a top 3 side to big favourites in this league. Though I don't know too much about the CCL, if I compared them with the top NCEL prem sides (and NCEL sides generally do well in the Vase so should be similar if not better than CCL Prem), they would have to be up there. Step 5 is much tougher but they look like they could challenge for Step 5 promotion already based on what I saw.

 

There is also a distinct lack of ego about the way they (players, coaches, officials and supporters) go about their business. They seem grateful to be in the CCL and are gracious winners - a rarity in my experience.

 

I would urge any non league fans to get across to a game in Guernsey, its a terrific experience. Professionally run, friendly atmosphere, great facilities, great football - congratulations to all involved.

[Smudge]

Smudge, you're always rolling out the same old story. Teams only have to travel over here once or possibly twice a season as opposed to Guernsey travelling every other week. Strange how the early starts and travel haven't really affected our team that much. I'm sure the other teams in the league are either looking forward to their trip away or have enjoyed their experience so far.

 

I know it's your opinion but you need to change the record and give Guernsey a break.

 

My post if you had taken time to read it is VERY COMPLIMENTARY OF GUERNSEY F.C.it is asking questions of other C.C.L. sides and why their preparation is not better.Would say Farleigh, get up at the crack of dawn to visit Hartley Wintney,and get there at 10am of course not.So why do it for Guernsey,would they sit in Hartley's ground from 10 am,or walk round Hartley of course not.As for the comments regards me visiting Guernsey for a game,NO I WILL NOT,and for this reason only.When I attend a match it is for the overall experience ,not the way Professional sides do it,where you pay your money,sit in your seat,then Managers,Officials,Players,are segregated from the very people who have paid their money after the game.This unfortunately is what is happening at Guernsey at the moment,yes you have a Boardroom,but no CLUBHOUSE.something I am sure Mr.Dewsnip,and Mr Le Tissier are looking very closely into at the moment.A very large plus for the Non League scene ,they are after all not prima donnas ,like the Premiership Robbers.It is also a great revenue earner,and if run right a home for Guernsey F.C. Fans to have their Banter,it is what all Community Clubs should have A BASE.

[GY1]

But the undertones of your original Smudge was another little pop at guernsey. I don't see you sniping at any other teams with the regularity you of guernsey. Do you sit at home/work wherever pondering new topics to wind up the guernsey folk!!

[Guernsey Wag]

Smudge,

 

At the moment after the match we use the Hockey clubhouse which is on the other side of the pitch where both the teams, officials and supporterers mix. After Christmas there will be a club house bar in the stand. The players, officials etc are not segregated from the fans as was proved for the 2 bank hol fixtures. Both players, officicials and fans travelled together from Guernsey and again to the matches as we all stayed at the same hotel. If you came over you would see during the warmdown on the pitch that children of all ages join in. The Cobham supporters would have seen this at their game. I can assure you that Guernsey FC is definately a community club as is shown by their massive support. If you came over I am sure you would definately enjoy the 'whole experience'. If anyone does want to come over then please feel free to PM me to ask any questions.

[HKP]

Smudge, what can visiting sides or GFC do to make it easier?

 

Kick off times and travelling arrangements are already done to suit the visiting team (home and away), so can't see what can be done?

 

As already posted, GFC have 17 away games in the league, whereas other only have to visit guernsey once. One could argue that favours uk based teams already.

[GD The Fall Guy]

Just my opinion,but did the C.C.L.Clubs really understand what a hard task awaited them, when they elected Guernsey into this League.Lets take travelling so far 1 Team went on Friday,which to them made perfect sense,and I can see the reasons behind it.Nice and relaxed before a game,but maybe too relaxed in my opinion.The next 2 Teams met at 6 am Saturday Morning to make a 7.30am flight from Gatwick,arriving in Guernsey at 8.30am,then taken to a hotel by coach,to book in but not have a room to relax in.1 Team went to the ground at 10am,the other went out to wander round St Peters Port,returning to the Hotel at 12.45pm,to be taken to the ground at 1 pm for 3pm K.O.Everything that has been laid on by Guernsey F.C HAS BEEN FIRST CLASS,from the Parking,Flight,Hotel,Coach,and Cones,Balls,Medical Kit etc.But lets look back to Guernsey's Pre-Season games they kicked of at 6pm,WHY,in my opinion because they were Professional sides,who dont rise at 5.30am to prepare for a Match.Then we have the Reverse side of the coin,being the Professional outfit that Guernsey are they want 1 pm K.O's.and many teams are accomodating them,C.B Hounslow this week have.The reason is both Financial and good preparation,less hanging about for Players,and saving on an overnight stay.Maybe you have not noticed but when they have played 2 Night Games against C.C.L. sides,they have not kept a clean sheet or even Won.Strange not in my book.I have said from the beginning that Guernsey are CERTAINTIES for promotion,because in Zico Black for one they are different class.Can or has a Team ever not conceded a Goal at home in any level of Football,Guernsey could be the First.

 

I think we will lose a game at home this season. Someone will up their game against us and cause an upset. I will applaud the team that does.

[Redrup No2]

be ready to clap the lammas donkey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GD The Fall Guy]

be ready to clap the lammas donkey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

lol ! bring it on !

[Trebor]

I for one am not too sure the size of the publicy this has brought to all involved with the CCL but one should enjoy the fact of the media attention Guernsey bring.

 

Just like to touch on this point.

 

In today's Guernsey Press there was an article about Guernsey FC having a fairly large feature in this months FourFourTwo Magazine which has a circulation of 90,000 apparently. I haven't read it personally but it does mention the opening game against Knaphill at least.

[Manors]

Went out to Guernsey last weekend - sure it was an early flight, but that was OK. Guernsey FC putting in alot of effort to ensure all visiting teams are fully catered for and all their expectations are met.