Guernsey's Merris still relishing career at 45

Dave Merris had a long career in English non-league football before moving to Guernsey

Dave Merris says he still loves playing for Guernsey FC after making his 100th appearance for the club.

The 45-year-old made his debut for the Green Lions aged 41 just over three years ago after moving to the island.

The former Harrogate Town, York City and Guiseley player, who also manages the Guernsey Football Association's men's representative side, brought up his century of appearances in the FA Vase loss at Snodland Town earlier this month.

"It's become a big part of my life," Merris told BBC Radio Guernsey.

"I think I needed GFC in my life in a way.

"Playing in the north of England and then coming over here, I needed football in my life.

"It's been a big part my life, it's been a big part of my family's life and my family, my wife especially, has been a massive supporter of me continuing when I came over here."

Merris, who works as a teacher on the island, has become the club's oldest player and says he has no plans to retire just yet.

"Football is my release," he added.

"I've probably got to 100 appearances because I am overly competitive, probably a little bit controlling as in I need another goal and another target to aim for.

"It was the oldest GFC player, that was a target, so I've always got my next goal.

"I'm quite a competitive individual so that's probably why I've got to where I am."

Merris has begun his move into coaching and led Guernsey to victory in the Muratti Vase against Jersey at Victoria Park in May.

While Merris has no desire to hang his boots up just yet, he hopes that by starting his coaching journey now it will allow him to remain involved in the game for many years to come.

"I want to play as long as I can possibly play, that is one of my big goals," he added.

"There's a point in my life and career, especially within football, that I've got to step away from that and potentially focus on the touchline side of things.

"The likes of the Under-21 Muratti, the senior Muratti stuff, there's a point in my career that I've got to start thinking about going into that coaching role, so that's probably my next aim and target.

"But at the moment that's a little way down the road because I'm enjoying my football playing-wise as much as I probably ever have."

Dave Merris has made 10 appearances for Guernsey FC this season

The Green Lions dropped to the ninth tier of English football after relegation last season, but after starting the campaign well have struggled in recent weeks.

They are 10th in the Southern Combination Premier Division and have lost their last three games in all competitions.

But Merris feels the side can turn their form around as they prepare to host ninth-placed Roffey on Saturday.

"Obviously we're having a little bit of a wobbly stage now, but I think every team will have a little bit of a wobble," he said.

"That's going to make us stronger as a group moving forward to the rest of the season.

"I'm enjoying it, I still have a go at Tony (Vance, Guernsey FC manager) if I'm not playing, so that's that competitive edge of me wanting to play all the time and being a big massive part of it.

"I'm still as competitive as I was when I was 21. I get frustrated when things aren't going how you want it to go, but if I wasn't frustrated and I wasn't upset then there's times where I think I need to hang my boots up."