Muratti heading back to The Track

The Track has not hosted the Muratti since Guernsey won in 2001

Guernsey Football Association will host the 2009 Muratti at its old venue of The Track, rather than Footes Lane.

The refurbished Footes Lane Stadium has hosted the Muratti in Guernsey since it re-opened for the 2003 Island Games.

But it has come in for criticism in some quarters as fans cannot get close enough to the action because of the athletics track surrounding the pitch.

Guernsey have not won a Muratti at the stadium and GFA management are hoping for a change of luck at The Track.

The Track, which is home to Belgrave Wanderers, had hosted the Muratti when it was in Guernsey for many years, the last being in 2001 when the home side beat Jersey 4-1.

We very much hope that people will come and support the island teams in their quest to bring the Muratti Vase back to Guernsey

GFA chairman Mark le Tissier

"We are hoping for a change of luck with a change of venue, Footes Lanes has not proved to be a lucky venue as far as results are concerned," said GFA chairman Mark le Tissier.

"The decision to move back to The Track was a difficult decision to make. We have received a petition signed by 210 people, including some island players.

"Having consulted with Tony Vance, the senior island coach and Paul Mooney, women's coach, the board felt it was the right thing to do.

"We very much hope that people will come and support the island teams in their quest to bring the Muratti Vase back to Guernsey and for the women's team to retain the trophy they won so deservedly last year," he added.

Jersey won last year's Muratti after a penalty shoot-out at Springfield. Guernsey have not won a Muratti in normal time since the 2001 victory at The Track.

606: DEBATE

Should the Muratti go back to The Track?

But speaking to BBC Radio Jersey the president of the Jersey Football Association, Ricky Weir, said he was disappointed to see the game going back to The Track.

"I personally think Footes Lane is a great venue for that sort of spectacle. If it was down to a vote definitely Footes Lane would get my vote," he said.

"But having spoken to Mark le Tissier it seems it all comes down to finances and for the Guernsey FA it's an extremely expensive venue to take on.

"I don't know if it'll affect the squad Dave Kennedy picks. Certainly it's not the dust track it once was. It might possibly be more bumpy than Footes Lane," he added.