Thetownend.com

You may have heard of Guernsey FC. They formed a team a couple of years' back and in their inaugural season in the English Pyramid they charged to the Combined Counties League Division One title. Last week they lost at home in the 1st leg of their FA Vase semi final against Spennymoor 3-1 infront of 4,290 at a packed Footes Lane Stadium. The secomd leg is this Saturday in the north east. I understand that they pay all the travel expenses of their visitors, who mainly hail from the hinterlands of London and the Surrey area (I guess the proximity of Heathrow was essential in the football league deciding which league they would be assigned to).

Anyhow, getting to the point. As a result of their FA Trophy commitments, and to a much greater degree the apalling state of their pitch through these unseasonal conditions, they've suffered a whole host of postponements. Check out their fixture schedule for the remainder of the season!!!

http://www.guernseyfc.com/matches-fixtures-and-results

Similar to Bridgwater Town FC who I saw on Points West last week discussing their situation... http://www.bridgwatertownfc-1984.co.uk/view_event.php?pid=18

They've got excellent home support, 1000+ for almost every home game is unbelievable for that level. There are teams in the Conference who would love that sort of support.

Think of all the days off these part time players are going to have to take as well. They're going to need very understanding employers! I think the Football Association are loathe to extend the length of the season however exceptional the circumstances.

Guernsey FC are clearly a team going places. Wouldn't be surprised that with the financial backing they're enjoying if they experience successive promotions right the way up to the Conference. This ridiculous fixture schedule has the immediate potential to put a spanner in the works though.

http://www.combinedcountiesleague.co.uk/premtable.htm

Preview of FA Trophy (final at Wembley is the carrot dangling for the winners) on Late Kick-Off North East (Spennymoor's boss neglects to mention that all his team's expenses will be covered by Guernsey (flights and two nights' accomodation).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkM8lTnCjUU

The team in 7th sound fun.

Breaking news. Matt Le Tissier to resurrect career at Guernsey FC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22052801

Since this thread started they lost the FA Vase semi over two legs to a very strong Spennymoor side, who now face the mighty Tunbridge Wells at Wembley. Won their opening three games in this almightily congested April fixture schedule, including 2-0 against South Park yesterday.

http://www.guernseyfc.com/matches-fixtures-and-results

For some reason I want Guernsey to win that league! 20 points behind with 9 games in hand on the top team...Do'able!!

Promotion can only be gained from the division by the title winners so it's imperative for them that they do indeed  maximise on these games in hand. I would like to see them make the football league in a few years time - and with average crowds of around 1,000, when most crowds at that level do well to scrape 50, there's clearly been a real groundswell behind the Island's new footballing entity. It will become the most exotic domestic away day. Can you imagine the piss-up on the ferry over from Weymouth  :pint:

I believe they will be permitted to enter the FA Cup next season.

Now that would be a proper away draw if they could get to the first round :)


PS.  They are currently drawing 1-1 with Cove (after 60mins) who are the team just above them in the league

Seems like another Truro City to me. Weren't they supposed to have loads of backing to get to the FL? Whatever happened to them? I guess Guernsey are getting the crowds which is the big factor in any potential rise. That's what saw AFCW rise through the leagues.

Their backer (Truro) left and took over Plymouth - sound familiar?  Banbury>Swindon!!!

Truro got relegated last weekend from the Blue Square South, in some part due to a hefty points deduction. I think what did for them was that Kevin Heany - their multi millionaire sugar daddy - was declared bankrupt after his property empire across Cornwall collapsed. I think at best their average crowds were hovering around 500, and despite being the best prospect Cornwall has ever had of boasting a Conference level standard or beyond team, the local interest never materialised.

I believe Guernsey FC's venture is being generously backed by Sporting Bet, who are based on the Island for tax purposes. I suppose that has its dangers, especially when you consider that only this week betting firm Blue Square have been rescued by Betfair after posting massive losses. That said, with crowds averaging 1,000, and a phenomenal 4,200 in attendence at Footes Lane against Spennymoor in the FA Trophy semi-final (a sign of the voracious appetite of the local populace for a good pedigree of football), they're well capable of covering visiting teams' expenses - air fares and accomodation etc.

This is a team to watch. And when it happens, just remember, Dosser knew  8)

Lost 2-1 tonight, and their unbeaten home record this season...they get a chance to bounceback tomorrow though, home game at 1.30!!!

 :eek: They can't afford to be dropping points like this, particularly as top of the table Egham thumped Farnham 4-0 this afternoon. It's all coming crashing down :cry:

BTW, how did you know the score in-running?

Just searched on Twitter, found their official page and said they lost 2-1! Bastards, hopefully they can get back on track tomorrow!

 :smack: Guernsey FC 2-2 Camberley (the visitors from Surrey scoring a last minute equaliser!)

19 pts behind, 7 games spare over leaders Egham, still in their hands -JUST!

Are Guernsey using the same set of players for all of these successive fixtures or have they got a bit of a larger squad to play with?

Matt Le Tissier is registered with them - since the season began - but has yet to feature, however he has stated he is ready to help alleviate the strain on the playing personnel and is likely to start next Sunday:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22056769

------ From their website

Guernsey FC have signed 7 players for the hectic end to the current Cherry Red Records CCL Premier Division league campaign.



Tom Strawbridge, Craig Young, Simon Marley, Mark McGrath and Ryan Tippett all return to the GFC set up.

16 year old Kyle Smith and Veteran midfielder Matt Drillot are likely to get their first appearances for the club.


'It's brilliant news that these boys have signed on,' says GFC Head Coach Tony Vance. 'We're going to need all the help we can get with so many games to play in such a short space of time. And I think these players should be playing in this environment anyway.'

---------------------

Bastads, fingers crossed they get back to winning ways on Tuesday night!!!

Back on track Major. 2-1 winners on the mainland v Farnham Town FC with a late winner to boot. 19 pts behind leader's Egham with 7 games in hand. Now for three crucial back-back's starting Friday, and the much anticipated debut of Le Tiss on Sunday.

http://www.guernseyfc.com/matches-league-table

Big weekend ahead for them, probably need to win 2/3 and draw the other at least to stay in contention with Egham...obviously 3 wins would keep them on track!

Lets buy their striker Ross Allen, great goalscoring record and they beat Poole Town 10-0 pre-season so are better then the team Charlie came from!

53 goals in 38 appearances so far! (career 113 goals in 78 apps)

Egham must be in a state of disorientation. Streets ahead on points but with the dreaded knowledge that it is all illusory.

It appears Ross Allen is on Twiter, so anyone using that medium on here can offer their encouragement, and maybe start the ball rolling if we'd like to see him at the County Ground next season:

https://twitter.com/RossAllen10

Looking the their remaining games, they place a lot of mid-table to lower end teams (lets hope they don't do a 'Swindon' and it costs them a promotion). Their toughest game looks to be home to Epsom who are in 2nd place on the final day!

With only one promotion spot to fight for Epson may well be on their holiday's by then (quite literally, as they'll be enjoying Guernsey's generous island hospitality  ;))

If it comes down to the wire, i'd expect a good 3,000 at Footes Lane on the final day. Lets not get ahead of ourselves though!

Yes I have acted like a twat in recent days, so here is my apology, please don't remind me of it.

Anyway, Le Tiss did not start for Guernsey FC today.

4-1 win v Horley Town on Friday. Yesterday's home game v Farnham Town was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch and today they're currently 3-2 up v Raynes Park.

I remember mentioning him a while back on a couple of occassions and he has carried on scoring since then, would be worth a gamble IMO a goalscorer is a goalscorer whichever team he is at.

That was an excellent call Peter Venkman. I understand that a fair few of the Guernsey players have well paid jobs on the island so it might be difficult to lure them away but surely a career in proffesional football would be too good to resist.

Get the fuck in. Own goal on 87mins. 4-3 Guernsey

https://twitter.com/GuernseyFC

Up to 3rd now and taken 6/6 this weekend...the only downer for them is yet another rearranged game, I'm sure they won't mind!!!  :D

I see that Egham Town won 3-2 at Camberley on Saturday. The two away games at Hanworth Villa and Badshot Lea in midweek are going to be crucial. Keep the faith  :toocool:

Pussies. My team have 10 games in 20 days, won the first 7-1 today

Guernsey FC boss Tony Vance will be on sometime between 2100-2200 on Talksport to describe the tortuous schedule they've been confronted with:

http://www.talksport.co.uk/radioplayer/live/

PS. Nemo, how's the fixture list panned out for you since?

A 2-0 defeat at home to Chessington and Hook today infront of a commendable 1041 means the Green Lions have garnered just 4pts in the 4 games they've played since Tuesday. They now have to win all five games in hand on leaders Egham to just draw level. On recent form this Herculean feat is highly unlikely to be achieved.  :no:

 http://www.guernseyfc.com/matches-league-table

There's a great steam fair type-attraction at Hook. Been years since I've been, but spent many, many happy hours there as a kid.

Is that the Hook in Hampshire where my second cousins the Sciaretta's live? If so, it's nowhere near Chessington!

Dorset Steam fair has to be the very best.

No, there is a Hook near Chessington.  Played there myself many moons ago.

My bad, I was thinking of this: http://www.hollycombe.co.uk/

Turns out it's about 35 miles from Chessington...

Egham haven't been in good form of late, so it's not over.

Also if wiki is to be believed,

"For this season only, the FA will promote a second club from two of the following five leagues: Combined Counties League, Eastern Counties League, Essex Senior League, Kent League and the Spartan South Midlands League. This is to fulfil the expansion of the Isthmian League Divisions One North and South from 22 to 24 clubs each. The two teams will be chosen on a points per game basis."

If that is indeed the case, promotion is still possible with a decent run:

Team                   PPG
Aylesbury           2.293
VCD Athletic       2.286
----   ----
Guernsey             2.242
Wisbech Town      2.114
Takeley               2.000
(as of today)

Thanks threeleftfeet. That is superb news. So Guernsey's heroic endeavours could be rewarded after all  :pint: I should think this recent sticky patch of form has had a a very detrimental impact on their PPG but here's hoping for a resurgent charge through until the season's end   ;D

One thing's for sure, they need to get the drainage issues at Footes Lane thoroughly attended to in the closed season. Would be a damm shame for the unseasonably high rainfall they've experienced on the island to scupper their ambitions, especially with the significant resources they've pumped into this venture thus far.

Was wondering how Guernsey had got on this week, seems like they've blown it but you never know in football!!!

Not sure if they've blown it but they lost again last night.

Le tiss played the last 10.

Oh balls.

They really have blown it. How to ruin a nice day!

Big pressure has got to them, still have 5 games in hand but no longer in their own hands!

Unbelievably, 6 wins in 9 days has Guernsey in the drivers set for one of those two extra promotion spots with 1 game left.

VCD Athletic   2.313
Guernsey   2.25
================   
Aylesbury Utd   2.238
Barkingside   2.028
(Wisbech Town withdrew application)


Last match is tomorrow vs. 8th placed Farnham Town (4 games in 4 days makes our day of rest seem better), a win guarantees it, a draw leaves them with the same tally as Aylesbury (94 points from 42 games), not clear what the tiebreaker would be.

 :clap: :clap: I'd all but given up hope! Totally SENSATIONAL turn of events and phenomenal commitment in the face of such an adverse fixture pile up. Mightily surprised to discover they've achieved this rich vein of results especially when you consider Guernsey had only won one in six preceding this purple patch! Pulled it right out of the fire  :nod:

Now they mustn't balls up at the last gasp against Farnham tommorow (4th game in 4 days, totally insane!)

http://www.guernseyfc.com/matches-fixtures-and-results

Get in Guernsey! Was wondering how they were doing and that is a mighty effort to get to where they are, so fair play!

They won 1-0, promoted.

Absolutely. Massive congratulations to the Green Lions. Truly inspirational effort by all involved. Two successive promotions and now the Ryman South League awaits next season. An astonishingly decent crowd of some 1,800 for the last day promotion clincher against Farnham. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22425517

Bit confused about this daft bit in the article  :hmmm: : "The island side were convinced the ball had entered the goal before bouncing against a small wheel and coming back out into play".

Onwards and upwards :nod:

http://www.harrod.uk.com/Sports/Football/Full-Junior%20Size/Freestanding%20Aluminium/Products/447

Just saw this on Sky Sports, well done to Guernsey, 20 games in 36 days and to go up chasing the top side all the way is a big achievement for them! Fair play!

No exotic FA Cup fixture this season  :cry:

Guernsey knocked out at FA Cup 2nd qualifying round after valiantly losing in Kent to Dover 3-2. They beat Hastings in the previous round, who memorably caused a giant killing against us in the competition many moons ago.

League form looking good after a shaky start. 6th in the table, averaging about 1,100 every home game at Footes Lane, St Peter Port.

http://www.guernseyfc.com/matches-fixtures-and-results

The game was played in Sussex at Lancing FC, as Dover refused all requests by Guernsey to re-arrange the game to Friday, Saturday evening or Sunday as they couldn't play at 1pm on Saturday at Home.

Dover complained that their players wouldn't be able to arrange time off work. However, should the miserable fuckers make it to the third round and get drawn away to Newcastle & Sky ask to move the game to Sunday (or Monday night) I bet they will be somewhat more accommodating

But people will understand if the post isn't delivered, the meat not chopped up and the candlesticks not made during a tie against Newcastle.

Hard to justify against no mark teams though.

Don't forget the office workers.

...because in Dover, all TPS reports must be filed correctly before the end of September. If they don't get filed then their bosses are going to have to ask them to come in and work on Saturday.

(http://forums.filmnoirbuff.com/uploads/1266_3847573039_723f32b7d7_b.jpg)

Bollocks...I wanted them away...Europe!!

Do they consider Jersey to be l'écume de la société?

No, they consider Jersey people to be Krapos, Toads.

Just looked up the interpretation, yeh, Gnasher, Jersey are the dregs, though I think they got a good Rugby side in the English division.