Time to fix an eye on next season

Friday's defeat to Merstham all but put paid to our play-off hopes but that's not necessarily a bad thing, as it gives the club (notably Messrs Vance, Fallaize, Dewsnip and Vance (again)) a few additional weeks to start planning for next season.

They might want to look at the clubs currently occupying the top four spots in the league for a few clues as to how to get  promoted from the Isthmian South. Merstham have assembled a fine squad but it hasn't been cheap and they're well off the pace set by Burgess Hill. The Hillians success has been building for few seasons now, rather than funded through the cheque book. Faversham and Folkestone have good youth setups and Invicta, in particular seem very adept and raising funds from local businesses, as well as their fanbase, as and when required.

Of course, none of them have the burden of what must be a £250k+ bill for transport and accommodation just to compete at Step 4 (and unless the good people of Guernsey decide to join the UK that bill isn't likely to reduce any time soon). They all have a couple of things in common though; a youth system and an ability to get a strong first team squad out for each match (even if that means splashing a bit of cash.

As far as a youth system goes, on the face of it GFC doesn't have one. But then you look at the likes of the Aztec Soccer Academy and the Guernsey College Football Academy (Headmaster A Vance) and you see a youth system, albeit one that's ostensibly for the benefit of footballers in Guernsey rather than just one club, as in GFC.

When it comes to putting out the strongest available squad each game, the travel budget means that a budget for wages isn't an option (although the players do get a modest amount to help with expenses, such as airport parking, meals on away trips and so on).

Some of our players have very supportive employers who are able to provide paid leave so they can make away games. For obvious reasons a large chunk of the squad aren't in this position, hence a midweek away game is likely to be akin to a 'run what yer brung' race. And that's why we won't be in the play-offs this season.

So how to address this situation to give us the best chance of success next season? If it was down to me I would look to the club's statements as to the whys and wherefores of its existence on the GFC website.

At its inception in 2011 the club's vision was to 'create, develop and maintain a sustainable, successful, financially viable, democratic football club that creates and maintains real and lasting benefits to its members and the local Guernsey community'.

To get to the point I would look to establish a fund to ensure players that don't have the benefit of an employer that sponsors the club, can be recompensed for taking unpaid leave to be available for away matches (still requires a good degree of commitment from employers and players alike).

How? By establishing a membership scheme. Not like the one that was in existence for a while which, incidentally, wasn't exactly a revenue spinner. No, one that gives a member nothing more than a vote on who runs the club, as well as certain high level strategic issues, such as signing players from the UK.

That membership scheme could then lead to other fund raising opportunities.

That seems the way to success and democracy, whilst helping to build sustainability and viability (both of which also need closer working with the GFA and a fit for purpose island football stadium).

So nothing revolutionary (I'll probably be nominating the incumbent officials in any election) just a thought on how to realise the vision.

Keep it Green

Allez les Verts!!