Guernsey

If we are drawn against Guernsey this is what they would have to do

Guernsey FC’s maiden season in the FA Cup with Budweiser and The FA Trophy could be in jeopardy, due to financial terms being enforced by the Football Association.

The FA has given non-negotiable terms to Guernsey FC and the club has until Monday 24th June to confirm its place in the prestigious competitions.

The FA has advised that if ‘The Green Lions’ want to play in the competitions, then not only does the club have to cover the cost of flights, accommodation and transport, of 25 members of the opponent’s team and the 3 match officials, but Guernsey FC has to also give its opponents half of any net gate receipts without taking into account the travel and accommodation costs.

‘To bring over the teams and officials will cost us about £6,000 which is acceptable,’ says Guernsey FC Director and Football Secretary, Mark Le Tissier. ‘But as we have to split the gate receipts equally, it means we will need to take £12,000 gate receipts just to break even, which is a crowd of more than 2000. In this instance, the visiting club would not only have all their expenses paid, but leave the island with £6000 too. If we have an away fixture we have to cover all our costs and receive 50% of the net gate receipts.’

The FA has also put in further stipulations that could hit the club financially. If the tie in Guernsey has to be postponed due to adverse weather, then the game will be replayed in the UK at a ground that Guernsey FC has to hire at its own cost before the following Thursday of the original fixture. If an away tie results in a draw, the replay will have to be played under the same conditions, in the UK at a ground hired by GFC. The FA has also stipulated that in order to play in the FA Cup, Guernsey FC has to play in the FA Trophy.

‘This deal is just not viable for us to compete in the competitions without any additional financial support,’ says Guernsey FC Chairman, Steve Dewsnip. ‘But they are the terms that the FA has enforced and we have to comply with them if we’re to live the dream and play in the world’s most famous club competition’.

As the club is passionate to bring FA Cup football to the Channel Islands, ‘The Green Lions’ are now launching the ‘#60Saviours’ campaign. The club is asking 60 individuals or companies to donate just £100 per game to the club. This will be enough to underwrite the costs that could be incurred by the club.

‘We know how loyal our fans and local businesses are and if we can raise this money, then we can all live the dream together,’ says Mr. Dewsnip. ‘ We need their help more than ever and I hope we can get the funds we need to start our exciting journeys in these iconic cup competitions.’

Shouldn't be hard to get one of the companies which ripped us off for billions in vat to stump up.