The side will be making two trips to play English opposition next year and are looking to raise £10,000 so there is less burden on the parents.

Travelling is all part of a fresh approach to age-group football with smaller squads trying to drive higher standards.

U15 coach Darren Sylvester took up the role of guiding the Star Trophy side this year.

“We’ve had the trail process to get down to a core squad and I made the commitment to get the team off island to challenge the players,” he said.

“There isn’t a huge amount of competition in Guernsey itself, you end up with two or three strong teams, maye six tough games a season. Getting off island will expose them to players they know nothing about, they will be physically bigger, stronger and technically more adept than them.”

The side will be holding fundraisers as well as seeking sponsors and are just over half way towards their target.

Donations can also be made through their JustGiving page.

“It’s a competitive environment for sponsorship, there are lots of teams out there who will be aspirational like us.”

Longer term the ideal plan would be to play in an English competition, but that would require a long term partnership to fund it.

It is all part of a shakeup after some disappointing results at age group and senior level against Jersey.

A battling performance by the U21s in beating Jersey 2-1 at Footes Lane earlier this season was a rare victory.

“We know we need to do better,” said Sylvester.

“The model had got to the end of its life, it needed rejuvenating. We’ve got  constructive, collective approach, a shared goal as well. We want to do well, with smaller groups of players it enables us to build the culture within the group.”

The wet weather has been a challenge, restricting time on the grass, but the Aztech Centre has provided a base to play.

The Star Trophy takes place in Jersey on 21 April. 

Pictured top: Action from the 2022 Star Trophy in Jersey.