Guernsey FC set for emotional stadium send-off

Players and officials said they had mixed emotions ahead of Guernsey FC's last match at Footes Lane.

The Isthmian league South Central side will take on Ascot United on Saturday before moving to Victoria Park for their next home match against Westfield on 29 March.

The Green Lions have been based at Footes Lane since the club formed in 2011, sharing the ground with the Guernsey Raiders rugby club and Guernsey Athletics Club.

Former player Chris Tardif, who was part of the first Guernsey FC team to play at Footes Lane, said leaving the ground would be sad but it was an exciting time for the club as it moves to its new £10m home.

"It's a great opportunity for everyone and a fantastic development for the island and football," Tardif said.

"It's going to be an amazing time for the club."

The former player said his fondest memories included the FA Vase semi-final against Spennymoor Town in 2013 and winning the Combined Counties Football League Division One title in the 2011-12 season.

He added he loved his time at the club and was proud to have played for Guernsey FC at Footes Lane.

"It just felt like a proper stadium for the first time for a lot of the players," he said.

"It gave you a huge buzz to be at the new home of Guernsey football at that point and start a brand new adventure."

Nic Legg, the club's communications and commercial manager, said Saturday was going to be a chance for everyone involved to reflect on what Guernsey FC had achieved since 2011.

"As that whistle goes and we know that's the final ever men's game done at Footes Lane, there will be some emotion," Mr Legg said.

"But mostly it will be pride of what we've managed to achieve over the years."

Mr Legg added there was a lot of excitement for the move to Victoria Park - which will also be the first permanent home for the Guernsey FA - and it would be a "brand new chapter" for the club.

The team head into Saturday's game 19th in the league table and Mr Legg hoped the stadium move could give the side a boost in their battle against relegation.

He said: "We need to harness the spirit of Footes Lane over the years and use the last game as a real kind of motivation to make sure we get something out of that game."

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