Yesterday it emerged that arguably the Island’s top performer – who has previously had professional contracts with Southampton and Airdrie United – was in advanced talks with GFC boss Tony Vance about representing the Green Lions next season. Boyle would, however, require sponsorship to fund his travel before making the commitment.
Speaking this morning, Island manager Jimmy Reilly, who has included Boyle in his squad to face Alderney in the Muratti semi-final on Saturday, says yesterday’s news doesn’t change a thing for his squad.
‘It’s like a player going anywhere, really,’ he continued.
‘Jack could be going to play in England or he could be off to Australia – it’s only because it’s Guernsey that people are talking about it. So it doesn’t make a difference to our preparations for the Muratti or the Island Games.’
GUERNSEY FC captain Sam Cochrane appears sceptical of Jack Boyle’s potential move to Guernsey FC, saying on social media site Twitter that Boyle ‘wants the best of both worlds’ by using the Green Lions for his ‘own ambition’ while remaining in Jersey.
‘Why can’t he come and live here?’ added Cochrane
He added: ‘Jack’s an amateur player who can do what he likes and he obviously wants to improve as a player so I can understand that. Nothing is finalised at the moment but, if he does sign for Guernsey, I’ll wish him all the best.’
The 24-year-old Jerseyman has already stated that despite hoping to represent GFC in their next Ryman South campaign, he remains 100 per cent focused on Jersey at the moment.
Across the water, GFC manager Tony Vance expects Boyle to be a Guernsey FC player next season and said that his addition will improve the Green Lions.
‘There may be people who don’t like this, but to use the Guernsey-Jersey rivalry as a reason is being prejudiced in my eyes because we have had no problem welcoming UK players into our fold,’ said Vance.
‘If this happens, which I strongly hope and think it will, then Jack will be showing tremendous dedication to train with us each week and make himself available for selection.
‘That should be praised and I know he is somebody who wants to commit, who has the right attitude and wants to make himself a better footballer in a stronger environment.
‘Jack would also be a player that I believe improves us because he is a door-opener going forward who suits our style of play and I am certain he would be a top player at Ryman level.’
Meanwhile, former Jersey boss Craig Culkin has said Boyle’s potential departure would be a ‘sad day for Jersey football’.
Although he understands his former skipper’s reasons for wanting to play for GFC, it is a move that does not sit that easily for Culkin. As for the possibility of Boyle pulling on a green Guernsey shirt in a future Muratti, Culkin does not rule it out.
‘Until a day ago I would have said that no, I can’t see that ever happening, but the news about Jack has come as a huge shock to me and so you never know.
‘The big issue that led to my resignation last year was that the JFA wouldn’t allow me to select Michael Weir in my Muratti squad because he was playing off-island, despite being eligible.
‘So do the JFA enforce the same rule on Jack from next season if he isn’t playing his football in Jersey?
‘And even if they do select him, there could well come a time when Jack does choose to play for Guernsey in Murattis if he is able because he will be playing 50 games a season for them, forming friendships.
‘It is not a decision I would have made when I was playing, but I do understand why Jack is doing it and this opens up a whole can of worms because there could be three or more looking to follow in the future.’
