Guernsey's Steve Sharman unsure of Jersey Uefa bid

Jersey hosted the Island Games this summer, where they were knocked out in the group stages

Guernsey's football team boss thinks Jersey are wrong to try to join Uefa.

Jersey, with a population of around 100,000, is hoping to follow Gibraltar and take part in European Championship qualifiers by bidding to be recognised as an international footballing nation.

But Steve Sharman, who also helps coach Isthmian League club side Guernsey FC, feels his island's model is best.

"I think personally they should be looking to develop something along the lines of Guernsey FC," he said.

Guernsey FC was set up in 2011 to give island-based players the chance to play at a higher level.

Since its formation, Jersey have only beaten their biggest rivals once, a 3-2 win in the Muratti in May, but Sharman says he is impressed with Jersey's ambition.

Under Uefa rules, non-sovereign nations cannot be members, but the Jersey FA said earlier this summer it was hopeful of changing the European football governing body's mind.

"I'm always in awe of people who want to put themselves out and got to the next level," Sharman told BBC Radio Guernsey.

"If it's achievable they'll have to look at their domestic programme and how they develop players to compete at that level as the smaller nations have struggled."