Alderney FC hunting for players to live on island

Alderney FC play in the Jackson League in Guernsey and take part in the Muratti Vase

A Channel Islands football team has put out a call for fresh talent to move over and play for their club.

Alderney FC, who play in Guernsey's Jackson League and the Muratti Vase, have issued an appeal to find young male footballers who are willing to live and work on the island while playing for the team.

Bosses at the club, which is the only one on the island of Alderney, said they needed to find a way of attracting new players to keep the side running in the future.

Robert Kirkland, chairman and coach of Alderney FC, said the club knew it would not be a move everyone wanted to make, but they hoped to attract a few players.

Alderney FC play their home matches at The Arsenal ground

Mr Kirkland said: "Maybe they'll come for six weeks, maybe they'll come for six months, maybe they'll come for six years, we just don't know.

"If we open enough opportunities, then hopefully we'll attract some players."

'Something unique'

He said there were a number of work opportunities on the island which potential players could do.

Kirkland, who moved to Alderney two years ago, added the club had a decent number of players for the next generation, but wanted to make sure they continued to grow.

"We know it's not going to be for every single person, we know there are challenges to living here," he said.

"But we do think we are offering something unique and the community will fully support people moving across."

Mr Kirkland said the club was the "beating heart" of the island community who come together to show their support when games are played at its home ground, The Arsenal.

He said the community was great to be part of and the club had a rich tradition and history - which included winning the Muratti in 1920.

He added while the club's prospects have dropped off in recent years, he felt it had a lot of potential.

"We certainly don't have a Hollywood backing or film crew to follow us around, but it's a Cinderella story.

"A few years ago, the first team were extremely competitive, but we've slightly dropped off that in the last two or three years.

"If we can attract three, four or five players of quality that want to reside here on the island, then there's absolutely no reason why we won't go into the next league of the Guernsey football pyramid."