Well it made me giggle

[E&E Rich]

It is a very interesting point about how far can Guernsey actually go with players from the island.

 

I obviously don't know the island as well as people like HKP and GD but I find it hard to understand why Step Five or even Step Four would lead to an increase in interest, crowd-wise. There are no "big names" at those levels that would attract fans any more than there are at Step Six, and against that you have had the novelty of "pyramid football" to sell this season which will be less of a novelty next year and the year after etc.

 

Likewise for the players. Surely it was well publicised that Guernsey were looking to put a good team together, so presumably picked up as many good players as they could this year. Are there better players in Guernsey that are not currently playing, and if not, why would they be any more interested in playing Step Four or Five than at Step Six?

 

As an Epsom supporter it looks like if the reorganisation goes ahead we will meet Guernsey for the duration of the time that both clubs remain in Step Five, and I wonder if that might be a bit longer than the islanders are thinking. We all know Step Five has improved at the top and while only one club goes up from our level, maybe Step Five is the summit of your likely achievement.

 

I'm not saying it is the limit, I'm just playing a bit of devil's advocate. You have a committed but small catchment area, and I'm intrigued as to how far Guernsey believe they can go.

[Non League Nigel]

Would Jersey players come over and play?

[Green_Fingers]

It is a very interesting point about how far can Guernsey actually go with players from the island.

 

I obviously don't know the island as well as people like HKP and GD but I find it hard to understand why Step Five or even Step Four would lead to an increase in interest, crowd-wise. There are no "big names" at those levels that would attract fans any more than there are at Step Six, and against that you have had the novelty of "pyramid football" to sell this season which will be less of a novelty next year and the year after etc.

 

Likewise for the players. Surely it was well publicised that Guernsey were looking to put a good team together, so presumably picked up as many good players as they could this year. Are there better players in Guernsey that are not currently playing, and if not, why would they be any more interested in playing Step Four or Five than at Step Six?

 

As an Epsom supporter it looks like if the reorganisation goes ahead we will meet Guernsey for the duration of the time that both clubs remain in Step Five, and I wonder if that might be a bit longer than the islanders are thinking. We all know Step Five has improved at the top and while only one club goes up from our level, maybe Step Five is the summit of your likely achievement.

 

I'm not saying it is the limit, I'm just playing a bit of devil's advocate. You have a committed but small catchment area, and I'm intrigued as to how far Guernsey believe they can go.

 

There have been a few previous threads on this subject E&E Ed. Like you I believe them getting out of Step 5 will be a huge challenge and with current players I feel they will be a CCL Premier side - albeit a good one (top 4) for a few seasons. Their stated aim is to keep GFC for Guernsey based elite players and since they don't pay then it is difficult to see how they would attract better mainland based players to allow them to progress further. I would imagine their supporters will follow them at whatever level even if the team was eventually made up predominantly with non-Guernsey based players.

[Smudge]

E&E Ed,having a small catchment Area is to their advantage,in that there are no other Clubs in their area,and the best Players are not divided into 5/6 other Clubs.Personally think that they will go through the C.C.L.Premier at the 1st attempt

[Big J R]

Agree H.K.P.time is not on his side.He is getting on a bit.

 

If Ross Allen is getting on a bit at 24 Smudge you must be the Living Dead !

 

You might well say that ! - I wouldn't possibly comment !!

 

[NCEL fan]

I happen to agree with the thinking above - GFC are clearly going to challenge for honours in the Prem but with only 1 promotion slot, it is not a foregone conclusion, and maybe it will take a year or two to adapt.

 

The current squad is about as strong as it is likely to get in terms of players, but their collective ability to keep improving in the CCL is simply unknown. They have some great young players coming through - Rhys Jordan, Matt Loaring, Joe Alvarez, James Hamon for example - who have all played this year and will develop further as they get more opportunities.

 

I for one have been taken by surprise at their ability to deal with almost everything thrown at them this year - I don't think CCL 1 is a great standard but you can't help be impressed by the way they've stepped it up a notch at almost every critical challenge. I thought they'd take longer to adapt to the travel, the style of play, the more robust playing styles (which haven't been as robust as I'd have expected) etc but they've been mighty impressive.

 

There are a lot of locals who have talked about pub teams and that GFC should be 3 or 4 leagues above - believe you me the players and staff don't talk or think in those terms.

 

I actually think top level step 5 is usually as good as Step 4 anyway - so I say they might find it tough to go straight through the Prem but they probaably belong at Step 4 as a mid table side.

 

For me that's their limit as a 100% amateur unit comprised of just local lads. Off the pitch, its clear the club can go higher but that would require a fundamental change in selection and financial policy.

 

And just to add a bit of perspective to the "they're playing for a national side" - there are 7 senior clubs locally, plus a business league and a Sunday league. I'd say there are only 150 senior players who want to play Saturday football in Guernsey. To be fair to them, you could take out 70 of those who might either be of limited ability or perhaps are still playing in their thirties to keep fit but have no aspirations to progress in the game. That leaves 80 lads - ok its a representative side but even with the competition from other clubs in the vicinity, it demonstrates a remarkable ability to produce half decent non league footballers from a very small pool.

 

That is all.

[Smudge]

The thing that stands out to me,is the professional way they approach the game.Seems as though every part of their approach to all their games,is like a well oiled machine.Their fitness levels are far superior to any C.C.L. side,by a mile.

[spy]

Wright was found at Dulwich hamlet by palace and les ferdinand was found in non lge by rangers but these days lge clubs won't look at you if your in your 20s

Edited February 7, 2012 by spy

[NCEL fan]

I'm gonna have to disagree with that one Spy.

 

Holt and Morrison at Norwich have both been playing non league football well into their 20s.There are plenty of other examples - Lee Novak at Huddersfield, Liam Dickinson at Southend (both only just 20 admittedly when they went), Kevin Ellison at Morecambe went to Leicester when he was 22, DJ Campbell you'll all know I'm sure, Ryan Lowe went when he was 21 and has done well. There are a lot (yes - Wiki assisted there, just wanted to check their ages!!). League clubs do take a chance on players in their 20s if they are good enough. Whether CCL is a standard that they'd consider is another thing.

 

All of the above were playing step 1, 2 or 3.

 

Ryan France went from Alfreton when they were playing step 4 or 5 and played in the Premiership for Hull, he played in the NCEL in 2000 at the age of 21. That's the best I can do with my northern based argument!!

[HKP]

The must all have good jobs though.getting every other Tuesday Off.

Some take it as holidays or make up the time. Living on an Island this is not exactly new.

[HKP]

I dont think and I know the Club dont that it will be plain sailing next season IF prompted to the Premier Division. We will have a years experience of playing UK teams but then clubs will soon work out how to get at GFC like was proven the other week.

 

One challenge they do face if and when they get out of the Premier Divsion is the Ground as it stands would not make the grade. Somethng the local paper says isnt a problem, but unlike me I geuss they have not read the rules.

 

Mr. Rob Batiste writes some good stuff but at times is a little short-sighted.

 

They do not own the ground its owned by the local Government, but as a multi-purpose stadium that was mainly built for Athletics I am not sure how they will go about putting in turnstiles and enclosing the ground.

Edited February 7, 2012 by HKP

[danielpjn]

Is the ground a problem to get into the premier division?

 

Sure the league could clarify this for you. Not sure what the rules are with regards to barriers around the pitch perimeter? I would imagine the herres fencing that is currently used would have to be secured to stop the wind blowing it over.

 

Sure everything has been checked and is in order though

[HKP]

No I was saying IF they got above the Premier Division.

[HKP]

Would Jersey players come over and play?

Im not sure.. What I do know is that there is massive interest in the project from Jersey players and some even want us to succeed! As they desperately want to be part of it but the JFA have said NO in a big way. I have always felt that one day Jersey would follow us as they have so often in the past let us do all the Donkey work (pun intended) and then jumped on the bandwagon.

[HKP]

Except Guernsey is not a country!

That is true but we see ourselves as Guernsey first and British second.

[danielpjn]

No I was saying IF they got above the Premier Division.

 

Understood what you were saying. I was enquiring as to whether any improvements are required in order to get promoted this season?

 

[HKP]

so effectively he can leave for nothing.......................i find this hard to believe

Well if hes not on a contract then surely he can, thats the way I understand the rules work.

 

Understood what you were saying. I was enquiring as to whether any improvements are required in order to get promoted this season?

As I understand it none.... But I am sure that GFC know the exact score.

[HKP]

 

And just to add a bit of perspective to the "they're playing for a national side" - there are 7 senior clubs locally, plus a business league and a Sunday league. I'd say there are only 150 senior players who want to play Saturday football in Guernsey.

These two league are not affliated to the GFA (our County association) so cant paly for a GFA club (inc. GFC)

[NCEL fan]

And just to add a bit of perspective to the "they're playing for a national side" - there are 7 senior clubs locally, plus a business league and a Sunday league. I'd say there are only 150 senior players who want to play Saturday football in Guernsey.

These two league are not affliated to the GFA (our County association) so cant paly for a GFA club (inc. GFC)

 

Yeah - sorry, should have been clearer. The less capable/older players are playing non-GFA and Jackson/Div 2 football, so its really only the starting line up from the Div 1 sides that constitute that 70 players or so.

[bomaya]

Except Guernsey is not a country!

That is true but we see ourselves as Guernsey first and British second.

 

What's the difference?