The Green Lions are now making plans to host their play-off final against Peacehaven & Telscombe FC following positive “discussions” between the two clubs and the Southern Combination Football League Board.
There had been widespread frustration and disbelief following the decision to strip Guernsey FC of their home advantage, after they earned the right to host the fixture at Victoria Park by finishing third in the league and winning their semi-final.
League officials had cited “complex travel arrangements” as their justification for the switch, despite GFC stating they had offered to assist the visitors with travel logistics.
With the decision now reversed, the Club has said the match later this month will be a fitting end to the first chapter of Victoria Park’s story.
“Hosting the Play-off Final at Victoria Park is exactly what the club set out to achieve at the beginning of the season and represents a fitting conclusion to our first full campaign at our new home.”
They added that it follows “an incredible year on and off the pitch,” and that the chance to gain promotion at home “is something everyone associated with Guernsey FC can look forward to with genuine excitement and pride”.
From a sporting perspective, it’s easy to see why the decision was so frustrating for Guernsey FC and why the Club fought so hard to secure the home advantage for the play-off final.
The stats this year really tell the tale of a travelling club on the up again.
At home GFC showed the kind of form that would guarantee automatic promotion, with the Victoria Park crowd roaring the Green Lions to victory in 17 out of 19 games, with only two losses in league action.
However, when they’ve played away from home this season that swapped to ten wins and nine losses.
There are of course other reasons for the partitioning of their league results, but that risk and reward of island life, and the travel complexities it provides will have a defining role at the very least.
Whether home advantage helps lift the Green Lions up a league is something we’ll have to wait and see, but the support from fans has been evident all season long.
It was no more obvious than in this latest incident, and the love that supporters have shown GFC is something that gives the Lions’ pride.
The Club spokesperson said: “We would also like to place on record our sincere thanks to supporters for their backing and the many positive messages received following the league’s previous decision.
“The response from across the island and beyond has once again demonstrated the passion, unity and spirit that make this football club so special.”
The fixture will kick off at 13:30, at Victoria Park Stadium on Saturday 23 May.
Ticket information will be shared next week, with the club reiterating that season ticket holders’ seats will be protected.