If you're one of those that never reads past the headline you are forgiven if you think GFC has started signing players from top Spanish clubs. We haven't.
We do have a new recruit in the form of one Guille Fernandez though and he recently moved to the island from Spain.
His last club in Spain was CU Collado Villalba who play in Group 7 of the Tercera Division. The 'third division' is actually the fourth tier in Spanish football and comprises 360 teams spread over 18 groups which correspond to Spain's 17 autonomous communities (Andalucia is split into 2 groups due to its size). So it's not quite the same as England's fourth tier, or League 2 as we're supposed to call it these days.
Guille, or Lance as we might come to call him, did spend more than a few years in Atletico Madrid's youth set up, which is certainly not to be sniffed at and 'we' look forward to seeing what he's got to offer some time soon.
You will no doubt have seen the fixture list which came out a week and a half ago. August sees away trips to Three Bridges, Peacehaven, Hythe (midweek again) and Phoenix Sports. Visiting the ARS are Carshalton, Folkestone and South Park.
Fixtures at the ARS will generally kick off at 2pm on Saturday although, for some reason, Folkestone on August 15th is a 4pm k.o. and Chipstead (which is not too far from Gatwick) on October 17th is a 3pm k.o.. Maybe Chipstead fancy a mad dash to make the last plane out?
There are also one or two Sunday matches scheduled on those weekends where the eggchasers are already booked in on the Saturday.
Before all this there's the small matter of pre-season friendlies at the ARS and GFC ask that you turn up early on Friday to avoid a crush at the turnstiles.
Keep it Green.
Allez les Verts!!
Monday, 27 July 2015
Wednesday, 15 July 2015
Time to ease back into the swing.....
Time to wake from the close season slumber. Had a couple of weeks in Lanzarote. Plenty to do, friendly locals, lovely hotel, lots of sunshine and much better value than all round than a trip to Guernsey(sadly).
On my return to Ormering Towers I spent some time reflecting and I reached the conclusion that Lanzarote wasn't such a good holiday destination after all. Something was missing but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
Then it came to me, although admittedly I might have overdone the Bombay Sapphire. You, being ordinary Guerns, are clearly not worldly wise enough to be so visionary so let me enlighten you. Lanzarote doesn't have a milk museum.
So don't be harsh on DJ Kev, he knows what us tourists crave. Buffoon.
In case you're interested Lanzarote does have an aloe vera museum, but enough of that.
Pre-season training starts tomorrow (only reasonable to give the lads a couple of weeks off after the Island Games) and we already know of two visits to new exotic locations next season. The delightful surrounds of Barnehurst and Thurrock await us in the FA Cup and Trophy. Sadly, without a milk museum, neither feature on anyone's list of must visit places but we'll be there and we'll do our best to find you the ideal pre-match watering hole.
On Friday we should know the league fixtures, although there might be a gap or two as it's still not clear which division Farnborough will be playing in. All quiet on the CVA front, the local paper doesn't know who to believe and they've only got 3 or 4 players registered at the moment. But they're not really our concern.
We (and that means fans, players, coaches, directors and all the other volunteers) need to focus on hitting the ground running when the season kicks off. Donkey spirit from the off and who knows, we might still be in the FA Cup come September.
Keep it Green
Allez les Verts!!
On my return to Ormering Towers I spent some time reflecting and I reached the conclusion that Lanzarote wasn't such a good holiday destination after all. Something was missing but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
Then it came to me, although admittedly I might have overdone the Bombay Sapphire. You, being ordinary Guerns, are clearly not worldly wise enough to be so visionary so let me enlighten you. Lanzarote doesn't have a milk museum.
So don't be harsh on DJ Kev, he knows what us tourists crave. Buffoon.
In case you're interested Lanzarote does have an aloe vera museum, but enough of that.
Pre-season training starts tomorrow (only reasonable to give the lads a couple of weeks off after the Island Games) and we already know of two visits to new exotic locations next season. The delightful surrounds of Barnehurst and Thurrock await us in the FA Cup and Trophy. Sadly, without a milk museum, neither feature on anyone's list of must visit places but we'll be there and we'll do our best to find you the ideal pre-match watering hole.
On Friday we should know the league fixtures, although there might be a gap or two as it's still not clear which division Farnborough will be playing in. All quiet on the CVA front, the local paper doesn't know who to believe and they've only got 3 or 4 players registered at the moment. But they're not really our concern.
We (and that means fans, players, coaches, directors and all the other volunteers) need to focus on hitting the ground running when the season kicks off. Donkey spirit from the off and who knows, we might still be in the FA Cup come September.
Keep it Green
Allez les Verts!!
Tuesday, 9 June 2015
Licensing, pre-season and Crapauds (again...).
Just a week ago the FA announced the introduction of a licensing system for non-league clubs. Starting with the 2016/17 season clubs will only be able to participate at Steps 1-4 if they hold a licence from the league concerned. They'll be assessed on things like ownership, stadia, finance and integrity and, if the FA are really serious about this, 2016 could be a bumper year for reprieves from relegation.
Whether Farnborough (where we had a good night out just over 3 years ago) are in the running for a licence remains to be seen. Relegation from the Conference to the Isthmian Prem has given their highly regarded owners the opportunity to seek an amendment to their Creditors Voluntary Arrangement (CVA). Two years into a 3 year CVA that should have seen them pay creditors 100p per pound owed they've so far managed the princely sum of, er, a little under 20 quid. And the revised proposal is 1.59 pence in the pound. Don't be surprised if the club goes to the wall (again) in a few days time.
Pre-season fixtures have been announced and there could be plenty of empty seats for the visit of Glebe FC of the Kent Invicta League on Friday 31st July. There'll be slightly fewer the following day when Billericay of the Isthmian Prem pay another visit to the ARS. OK, there's the Island Games as well but they'll be over and done by the beginning of July so, on paper, the pre-season programme doesn't look like ideal preparation.
That's a very easy thing to say though and, without a big pile of cash to spend, it's hard to imagine any club with a similar geographical challenge having an 'ideal' pre-season programme. Hopefully the club will be a bit creative with admission prices as a decent turnout and atmosphere will not only be a good way of saying thanks to Glebe and Billericay for going to the trouble but could encourage others to do the same in years to come.
Whilst we're playing Billericay the Crapauds will be away at Thamesmead Town of the Isthmian North. In their announcement of the match Thamesmead made mention that the Crapauds are currently looking into playing in the non-league pyramid. Strange as it may seem but the Crapauds themselves still have a habit of waffling on about making Gibraltar and San Marino look good. Either way they ain't going anywhere with Springfield as it is.
Where will Mr Boyle be on August 1st?
Finally a reminder re donations in memory of Mike Thomas (see last week's post below). If you'd like to contribute to a pooled donation on behalf of GFC fans (and save yourself the price of a stamp or two in the process) please get your cheques to Debs by Thursday as she's off to the rock on Friday. Email us via the contact form on this page if you'd rather send a payment online and we'll let you have her bank details.
Keep it Green
Allez les Verts!!
Whether Farnborough (where we had a good night out just over 3 years ago) are in the running for a licence remains to be seen. Relegation from the Conference to the Isthmian Prem has given their highly regarded owners the opportunity to seek an amendment to their Creditors Voluntary Arrangement (CVA). Two years into a 3 year CVA that should have seen them pay creditors 100p per pound owed they've so far managed the princely sum of, er, a little under 20 quid. And the revised proposal is 1.59 pence in the pound. Don't be surprised if the club goes to the wall (again) in a few days time.
Pre-season fixtures have been announced and there could be plenty of empty seats for the visit of Glebe FC of the Kent Invicta League on Friday 31st July. There'll be slightly fewer the following day when Billericay of the Isthmian Prem pay another visit to the ARS. OK, there's the Island Games as well but they'll be over and done by the beginning of July so, on paper, the pre-season programme doesn't look like ideal preparation.
That's a very easy thing to say though and, without a big pile of cash to spend, it's hard to imagine any club with a similar geographical challenge having an 'ideal' pre-season programme. Hopefully the club will be a bit creative with admission prices as a decent turnout and atmosphere will not only be a good way of saying thanks to Glebe and Billericay for going to the trouble but could encourage others to do the same in years to come.
Whilst we're playing Billericay the Crapauds will be away at Thamesmead Town of the Isthmian North. In their announcement of the match Thamesmead made mention that the Crapauds are currently looking into playing in the non-league pyramid. Strange as it may seem but the Crapauds themselves still have a habit of waffling on about making Gibraltar and San Marino look good. Either way they ain't going anywhere with Springfield as it is.
Where will Mr Boyle be on August 1st?
Finally a reminder re donations in memory of Mike Thomas (see last week's post below). If you'd like to contribute to a pooled donation on behalf of GFC fans (and save yourself the price of a stamp or two in the process) please get your cheques to Debs by Thursday as she's off to the rock on Friday. Email us via the contact form on this page if you'd rather send a payment online and we'll let you have her bank details.
Keep it Green
Allez les Verts!!
Sunday, 31 May 2015
Noon tomorrow sees a celebration of the life of Mike 'Chappie' Thomas at St James Concert and Assembly Hall. All that knew Mike are welcome to attend and the dress code is as colourful as you like. Afterwards there will be a private cremation.
If you would like to make a donation in Mike's memory the family request that these are made either to the Motor Neurone Disease Association (PO Box 246, Northampton NN1 2PR) or les Bourgs Hospice Charitable Trust (Andrew Mitchell House, la Rue du Tetre, St Andrew's, Guernsey GY5 8SF).
Manelanders (or anyone else for that matter) might want to pool funds for a contribution on behalf of all of us. Debbie Cook is coordinating this and if you get funds to her before June 12th she will present a cheque for 50% of the total donated to both organisations.
You can either send a cheque payable to D Cook, 3 Melville Way, Goring-by-Sea, Worthing, West Sussex, BN12 6HT or, if you wish to pay via online banking, send us a message using the contact form on this page and we'll let you know Deb's account details.
Keep it Green
Allez les Verts!!
If you would like to make a donation in Mike's memory the family request that these are made either to the Motor Neurone Disease Association (PO Box 246, Northampton NN1 2PR) or les Bourgs Hospice Charitable Trust (Andrew Mitchell House, la Rue du Tetre, St Andrew's, Guernsey GY5 8SF).
Manelanders (or anyone else for that matter) might want to pool funds for a contribution on behalf of all of us. Debbie Cook is coordinating this and if you get funds to her before June 12th she will present a cheque for 50% of the total donated to both organisations.
You can either send a cheque payable to D Cook, 3 Melville Way, Goring-by-Sea, Worthing, West Sussex, BN12 6HT or, if you wish to pay via online banking, send us a message using the contact form on this page and we'll let you know Deb's account details.
Keep it Green
Allez les Verts!!
Monday, 25 May 2015
Since we last met the Muratti happened.
Having seriously considered a day trip I took the view that, as it was bound to be streamed by Crapaud TV and somewhat less than a majority of the UK electorate had introduced another 5 years of austerity, I would save the cash for a rainy day.
Glad I did as, just 5 minutes in to Jack Boyle's audition, I found myself screaming out for a change in tactics. My screams did not go unnoticed as midfielders were introduced, eventually. Sadly we were well into the 2nd half and the Vase was already being wrapped up to survive a 5 hour inter island trip on Condor's fabulous Liberation, before changes were made. By which time the game was lost.
So we, as in Guernsey, still haven't won a Muratti at Footes Lane. Which is possibly because Footes Lane is an ARS and the spiritual home of Guernsey football is most definitely not an ARS. Still, as long as the sponsor's guests had a good lunch nothing else matters.
A few days later all emotions about the Muratti were to be put into perspective when we learnt of the passing of Mike Thomas.
Mike was born a Yorkshireman and moved to Guernsey in 2011. Over the years he made a contribution to island life that far exceeded that of the HNWIs that some in the States seem so keen on. Having left Guernsey before 1991 I first met Mike in 2011 and, by that time, he had developed a split personality. Part Yorkshire, part Guernsey, 100% Donkey Terrier.
Everyone that knew Mike will remember him for slightly different reasons. Here's one of our's:
Rest in peace Mike and rest assured that our thoughts are, and will remain, with Dawn and the rest of your family.
Having seriously considered a day trip I took the view that, as it was bound to be streamed by Crapaud TV and somewhat less than a majority of the UK electorate had introduced another 5 years of austerity, I would save the cash for a rainy day.
Glad I did as, just 5 minutes in to Jack Boyle's audition, I found myself screaming out for a change in tactics. My screams did not go unnoticed as midfielders were introduced, eventually. Sadly we were well into the 2nd half and the Vase was already being wrapped up to survive a 5 hour inter island trip on Condor's fabulous Liberation, before changes were made. By which time the game was lost.
So we, as in Guernsey, still haven't won a Muratti at Footes Lane. Which is possibly because Footes Lane is an ARS and the spiritual home of Guernsey football is most definitely not an ARS. Still, as long as the sponsor's guests had a good lunch nothing else matters.
A few days later all emotions about the Muratti were to be put into perspective when we learnt of the passing of Mike Thomas.
Mike was born a Yorkshireman and moved to Guernsey in 2011. Over the years he made a contribution to island life that far exceeded that of the HNWIs that some in the States seem so keen on. Having left Guernsey before 1991 I first met Mike in 2011 and, by that time, he had developed a split personality. Part Yorkshire, part Guernsey, 100% Donkey Terrier.
Everyone that knew Mike will remember him for slightly different reasons. Here's one of our's:
Rest in peace Mike and rest assured that our thoughts are, and will remain, with Dawn and the rest of your family.
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