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Page last updated at 08:14 GMT, Tuesday, 10 June 2008 09:14 UK

North reject proposed GFA changes

North celebrate winning the 2007 Priaulx League title
North are the latest club to reject the GFA's plans

Guernsey's FA's plans to change the way football is run appear to be in tatters after another club rejected the plans.

Northerners' AC say they will reject the proposals in their entirety.

The plans call for a tiered system with promotion and relegation. Youth One and the Jackson leagues would be replaced by an under-21s league.

In a statement the club said they believe they are "unworkable, costly and would lead to a haemorrhaging of players from the club."

They are the first team to completely reject the proposals. Last week Vale Rec said they would vote against changes to the youth leagues.

...the GFA Board of Directors were out-of-touch with the realities of running a football club

North statement
The statement went on to say: "...whilst a great deal of work had gone into the proposals, little thought had been given to the consequences and that the GFA Board of Directors were out-of-touch with the realities of running a football club."

Northerners' say that while they agree with some parts of the plans, proposals such as one player, one club and a 16-21 year-olds league rather than Youth One and the Jackson League will lead to the side losing players.

But the GFA say they are not surprised by North's decision to reject their plans totally.

"It's typical of North and how they've conducted themselves throughout this whole affair," said the GFA's James Blower.

If everyone sticks to what they've said then we'll have a split vote at the AGM but the plan will get passed in it's entirety

James Blower
"We've got four clubs now who have declared themselves in favour of the plan and will be voting at the AGM in favour. Sylvans have yet to declare their position," he added.

And Blower is confident that despite the controversy the plans will be approved:

"If everyone sticks to what they've said then we'll have a split vote at the AGM but the plan will get passed in it's entirety because there are enough votes in favour of it at the present time."

Last week, the GFA's Chairman Dave Nussbaumer resigned over the attitude of some clubs towards the planned changes.

North are the Channel Islands' most successful club, having won the Guernsey league title 28 times and the Upton 13 times. They last won the Guernsey league in 2007.


see also
Vale Rec reject GFA league deal
06 Jun 08 |  Football
Minister wants GFA fight to stop
05 Jun 08 |  Football
GFA chairman Nussbaumer resigns
04 Jun 08 |  Football
GFA include more leagues in talks
04 Jun 08 |  Football


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