A new island football club, Guernsey FC, is planning to join the English non-league pyramid next season starting in Division 1 of the Combined Counties League (CCL) at Step 6. Last September Guernsey represented England in the UEFA Regions Cup held in Croatia after winning the National League Systems Cup.
Crowds of more than 2,000 regularly turn out for matches with Channel Island rivals Jersey and 500 are anticipated for home CCL games with up to 30-40 travelling to the mainland. It is hoped to arrange discounted travel for visiting fans.
A new island football club, Guernsey FC, is planning to join the English non-league pyramid next season starting in Division 1 of the Combined Counties League (CCL) at Step 6. Last September Guernsey represented England in the UEFA Regions Cup held in Croatia after winning the National League Systems Cup.
Crowds of more than 2,000 regularly turn out for matches with Channel Island rivals Jersey and 500 are anticipated for home CCL games with up to 30-40 travelling to the mainland. It is hoped to arrange discounted travel for visiting fans.
A travelling club’s flights from Gatwick and a night in a hotel would be paid for, a sum that could cost sponsors four figures a trip. The CCL management committee has approved the plan. Matt Le Tissier has expressed an interest in being president of the new club.
Islands close to the English mainland already have teams in the non-league systems, e.g., Newport IoW at Step 5. More remote islands, such as the Isle of Man, have their own competitions. In the more thinly populated Isles of Scilly, two teams play each other every week in league and cup competitions, although a representative team does sometimes play friendlies on the mainland.