Football: Guernsey FC issue statement after Boyle speculation

‘Guernsey FC chairman Steve Dewsnip has insisted the club’s policies on player recruitment have not changed following speculation that Jersey midfielder Jack Boyle may sign for the Green Lions next season.

Dewsnip is responding to stories in the local media that Boyle has been quoted as saying he is near certain to join the Sarnians after talks with GFC boss Tony Vance if a sponsor could be found – as well as criticism on social media that the club has altered its stance without consultation.

The following is a full statement from Dewsnip in response to the media speculation and criticism.

Guernsey FC chairman Steve Dewsnip

“Our club’s stated aims since the day we first set it up are to offer the island’s elite footballers the opportunities to test themselves on a regular basis outside the Channel Islands at the highest level possible. That has not changed.

“We have always said that to do that properly, our players need to be residing in Guernsey and form part of the local community. That has not changed.

“We intend to provide these opportunities to the current squad of senior players and the island’s promising kids and youth players, i.e. the island’s and GFC’s players of tomorrow, by continuing to work closely with local football development staff to ensure that the right elite player pathway exists. That has not changed.

“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. That has not changed. A good example of this would be Josh Steel and Jakub Macklowski, and of course using the same principle a few years beforehand Angus Mackay and Jason Winch spring to mind. We see nothing wrong with that.

“Turning to recent media reports and notwithstanding that Jack Boyle may or may not be confident about joining GFC – first of all it is very encouraging that talented players would wish to consider moving to our community and put themselves in contention for selection with us. It once again reinforces how far we have come and how successful the original initiative by the GFA has been.

“Secondly, for Jack Boyle 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 Jack Boyle 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.”‘

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