Guernsey FC star Allen targets another season
Allen scored 16 goals in 31 appearances this season, including a run of scoring in eight consecutive appearances from the start of February through to April. It was his best goalscoring season since he claimed 19 goals in the 2021-22 campaign - although some way off Allen's pomp in Guernsey's first season in the eighth tier back in 2013-14 when he found the net an incredible 54 times.He says relegation out of the Isthmian League after 12 seasons is a chance to reflect, but also a chance to build for the future."Ultimately we are in a football pyramid. Getting relegated doesn't mean you stop existing as a club, it's just another chapter, it's just a time to reset," he added."We are a very unique club. If this was a club in the UK probably half or all of the players would leave, the coach would leave, it would be a total reshuffle."We've got that really unique situation where nothing really changes."We've got the same personnel and we could just roll into the next one and maybe blood a few younger players, get a few more players out there that maybe in certain games we just didn't quite give the minutes to this season because we needed a bit more experience out there."
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BBC News
7 hours ago
- BBC News
Guernsey FC ready for 'new start' after relegation
Tony Vance says his Guernsey FC side are ready for a 'new start' as they prepare for life after 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 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 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 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 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."
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Chelsea star breaks silence on Man Utd transfer with four-word 'competition' claim
Nicolas Jackson has been tipped for a move to Manchester United amid his uncertainty at Chelsea after a raft of new signings - but the player himself has hit back at suggestions he has slipped down the pecking order Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson has insisted "I have no competition" at Stamford Bridge as speculation links him with a move away from the club. The forward has been strongly tipped for a move to Manchester United, who are desperately seeking more firepower for the new season after Ruben Amorim grew frustrated with a lack of clinical finishing from Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee. There have even been suggestions of a swap deal between Chelsea and United for Jackson and Alejandro Garnacho, who has fallen out with Amorim. Jackson had a solid season for Chelsea last term as he netted 10 times in the Premier League and chipped in with another three goals in the UEFA Conference League - scoring in the final as the team beat Real Betis 4-1 - notching 13 in 37 games in all competitions. But there have been demands from fans and pundits for Jackson to score more goals and Jackson now appears to have slipped down the pecking order after Chelsea signed Ipswich striker Liam Delap for £30m and Joao Pedro from Brighton for £60m, with the latter starring in their FIFA Club World Cup triumph. Jackson, however, has now hit back at the suggestion that the club's new signings meant that he had a battle to be first choice up front under Enzo Maresca and claimed every player "has their role to play". "Competition? I have no competition," he told DSports TV. "We're all here to help the club. Everyone has their role to play. I'm on a mission. It's up to the coach to make his choices. I focus solely on my work." Jackson was coy on his future and said he was focused on playing for Chelsea as things stood, saying he had no control over any "changes" that could come. "I'm a Chelsea player," he said. "The future belongs to God. If there are any changes, you'll know. For now, I'm focused on my preparation. It's football, there are ups and downs. Last season we won two trophies. There were difficult moments, moments of glory. Every season is like that. But the most important thing is to stay focused, to learn, and to grow in the face of adversity." Jackson has netted a total of 30 goals in 81 appearances since joining Chelsea for around £32million from Villarreal in 2023, including 17 in his first season. Despite links to United, it's understood the Red Devils have ruled out a move for Jackson because Chelsea are demanding between £80m and £100m - and have since pressed on with a move for Red Bull Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko. Mirror Football reported this week how Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins had been United's No.1 target above Jackson as Ruben Amorim looks for more proven experience in the Premier League, having already signed wingers Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. But with Villa demanding £60m for 29-year-old Watkins, United have prioritised Sesko's signature given that he will cost roughly the same price, but represents better value for money as he is five years younger.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Premier League to introduce ref-cam THIS SEASON after lawmakers give new feature the green light
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) REF-CAM is set to be introduced in the Prem this season after the green light from lawmakers. The eye-level cameras, allowing TV viewers to see goals and other incidents from the referee's perspective, were a massive hit during the Fifa Club World Cup won by Chelsea. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Ref-cam's will be used in the Premier League next season Credit: Getty 2 They featured at the Club World Cup Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Now the International FA Board, which sets the laws of the game, has 'approved the extension of the trial to both domestic and international competitions worldwide'. And Prem bosses plan to ask clubs to agree to sign up to the technology, potentially for the first weekend of the new season. Ifab had been awaiting feedback from Fifa before deciding whether to approve wider use of the cameras, in case any negative issues had been thrown up. Instead, Fifa refs' head Pierluigi Collina hailed the impact as being 'beyond our expectations', adding: 'We were asked: 'Why not in all the matches?' and even more: 'Why not in all sports?'' READ MORE IN FOOTBALL CANCER SHOCK EFL icon diagnosed with incurable cancer as fans pay tribute to 'top bloke' That made the Ifab decision a simple one. The Zurich-based body said: 'Other competitions have the option to test such systems and provide valuable information and feedback. 'Competitions wishing to participate in the trial must seek permission from The Ifab and Fifa, who will support participants by providing detailed recommendations and technical specifications to ensure smooth implementation.' And that opens the way to the Premier League applying to conduct a league-wide test across the season after two previous trials. Referee Rob Jones was the first to be wired for pictures, when he took charge of the July 2023 game between Chelsea and Brighton in Philadelphia, which was part of the Prem's Summer Series pre-season tournament. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS In May 2024, Jarred Gillett also donned the special camera as Crystal Palace slammed Manchester United 4-0 at Selhurst Park. Unlike during the Club World Cup, none of the images from Gillett's camera were broadcast at the time although Prem bosses released some footage just four days later before a 25-minute show was produced in December. Football history made at Club World Cup as new rule leaves players of BOTH teams baffled Prem bosses are keen on any developments that enhance the match-day experience for fans, both at home and inside stadiums. A further test could now be held in the final round of this year's Summer Series in Atlanta on Sunday, when Bournemouth play West Ham and United face Everton. Prem club bosses will still have to agree how often the ref-cam should be used - which may be at only one or two matches in each fixtures round. But it is not expected that the idea will be a difficult one to sell and it means TV viewers are set to benefit within weeks.
