This week’s The Non-League Paper had a one page feature on Guernsey FC, currently seventh in the Ryman League Division One South. The team draws on the best players from the island and pays for the travel and accommodation costs of away teams visiting Guernsey.
The team was originally founded because of the Groundhog Day nature of football on the island. The same teams would play each other all season with the annual Murati clash against Jersey the highlight.
This week’s The Non-League Paper had a one page feature on Guernsey FC, currently seventh in the Ryman League Division One South. The team draws on the best players from the island and pays for the travel and accommodation costs of away teams visiting Guernsey.
The team was originally founded because of the Groundhog Day nature of football on the island. The same teams would play each other all season with the annual Murati clash against Jersey the highlight.
There are actually seven teams in the Priauxl League which is a big advance on the two on the Isles of Scilly. They are spread out across the densely populated island, although two appear to share the same ground. On Orkney most teams have to share pitches.
The Green Lions secured two successive promotions in the first two seasons and reached the FA Vase semi-final. In the third season, they missed out in the play offs. Last season was more of a struggle and they finished 10th. The Ryman League even asked for them to be shifted to the Southern League in the summer.
Their biggest challenge is raising a team for midweek away matches because of work commitments and the need to avoid using up too much holiday leave for players. They are now considering recompensing players for loss of earnings so that they can put out a stronger away side.