Guernsey FC ready for 'new start' after relegation

Ross Allen is one of the few remaining players who were with the club when it was founded 14 years ago

Tony Vance says his Guernsey FC side are ready for a 'new start' as they prepare for life after relegation.

The Green Lions have dropped down to the ninth tier Southern Combination Premier Division after spending the past 12 years in the bottom tier of the Isthmian League.

But Vance hopes his side - who begin the new season with a return to the FA Cup - can put last season behind them.

"Getting relegated was obviously a disappointment, but what it's done is it's given us almost like a new challenge, a new lease of life, a new start," Vance told BBC Guernsey.

"There's new teams to go and play against because we're in a brand new league so there's some excitement around.

"We haven't really got a clue who we're playing against, but one thing I'm hopeful of is that we can play more on the front foot because over the last six or seven years it's been a real effort.

"You're hanging on, you're trying to nick a win or nick a draw here and there, so hopefully we can actually play on the front foot a little bit more."

Guernsey's players have been hard at work over the pre-season

Guernsey return to the FA Cup after nine years and host Bedfont Sports at Victoria Park in Saturday's extra preliminary round.

The club's record goalscorer Ross Allen is the only player with prior FA Cup experience likely to feature on Saturday, with team-mate Matt Loaring injured.

The 38-year-old was part of the side that reached the second qualifying round in 2013 - a club best in the competition - when they were knocked out by Dover Athletic.

"Its been a long time since we've been in this competition. Long overdue I think, it's so exciting to be back involved in the FA Cup," Allen said.

"We had some great games, I remember we had a good run, I got a memorable hat-trick away at Hastings.

"I never played in a home game in the FA Cup so it'll be really enjoyable to do it, especially down here at the new ground."

Spurred on by the opening of Victoria Park in late March Guernsey ended last season well.

Vance's side won four and drew two of their final seven matches before many of the squad helped the island beat Jersey to win the Muratti Vase for the first time in eight years.

"Ultimately I just want to see us carry on from where we were last year in terms of the last four or five games and then the players continued that in the Muratti," says Vance.

"That sort of performance and that style that we played, that's exactly what we were looking for and the finish came unfortunately too early for us.

"If we can replicate that that'll be brilliant."