Well, after putting up the 'no comment' shutters to all enquiries on Wednesday, the club issued a statement on Thursday afternoon. The Dear Chairman (DC), Steve Dewsnip, included the following in the statement:
"We have always said that if players from outside of Guernsey wish to move to the island, become part of the local community and are good enough to strengthen our squad, we will consider them."
"Secondly, for Jack or anybody else to come and play for us, it is simply not sustainable for them to play regularly and effectively for GFC without becoming resident in Guernsey. Whilst it is true to say that he has approached us and we have had some informal discussions with him very much along these lines, there are very many things to fall into place, which should not be underestimated, before this might become a reality."
On the same day GFC quoted Tony Vance thus:
"I have spoken to Jack about this, and whilst I am happy to offer him the opportunity and carrot to dip his toe in the water and train with us, selection will be made on merit. To put it simply, I am sure Jack will realise very quickly that to gain selection ahead of the lads who have bought into this 100% may require a decision to be made on relocating."
Which took me back to a Q&A we did with Vancie back in the CCL days:
Q) Would you consider signing any of the decent Crapauds for GFC or would you rather steer clear?
A) Most Guerns would be desperate for me to say no but realistically if it will improve us, then yes of course, and that offer is open to anyone but only if they are dedicated enough to come and live and work in Guernsey and of course sign up to the GFC project 100%.
By Friday, however, there was a sense that the club's line might be changing. According to ITV the DC's line was that any signing was likely to start on a trial basis to see if the arrangements work for both parties.
Then, on Saturday, the Jersey Evening Post carried a piece stating that former Jersey manager Dave Kennedy had been approached by GFC in January and quoted him as saying "the discussions I have been privy to suggested the best format for it to happen was that Jack stays in Jersey and fly (sic) over for training and matches."
A few mixed messages there but there is a strong suggestion that the players preferred option (of remaining a Jersey resident) will be given a try to see if it's 'sustainable'.
Which all smacks a bit of 'the club's official approach is this, although if we can find a way around it we will'. Anyone would think the club's custodians operate in sectors such as finance and the law.....
A trial period in pre-season is not unreasonable. This would give Jack an opportunity to sort out employment, accommodation etc and build relationships within the squad. Can't see many, if any, GFC fans having a problem with that.
To carry such a trial into the league season is a different matter however. Firstly, that will be the point at which the stated aim of only signing players committed to living/working in Guernsey is blown out of the water. It won't go down well with all GFC fans.
Secondly, as the DC said in the club statement on Thursday, it's not sustainable to play regularly and effectively for GFC without being a resident of Guernsey. A look at airline timetables suggest it might work for home games on a Saturday but certainly not for weekend away games, and as for midweek....
So if a player can't play regularly and effectively there seems little point in taking things any further. Better to concentrate efforts on maximising availability of Guernsey resident players.
Some will no doubt be thinking that a few decent quality off-island players could be just the thing to motivate others and get promotion. Even with such players there will still be times when we go through a slump in fortunes. Think back to last Autumn, if we'd had a couple of stars surrounded by kids and the walking wounded would the results have been that different? Probably not but the stars would in all likelihood have been tempted away by one of our rivals. Then you're in the spiral of decline that so many clubs fall into, spending more and more but losing team spirit only to end up back in the CCL where the good folk at the Small Field will be pissing themselves laughing at our plight.
Yes, we might end up back in the CCL with a squad of what we consider Guernsey players but at least we will have stuck to our principles and will be able to hold our heads high.
And that's why Ormering asks the custodians of our Guernsey Football Club not to change those principles without consultation with (and a clear mandate from) the GFC Community, the fans in other words.
By the way, sorry for another cheesy headline.
Keep it Green
Allez les Verts!!
