So, Guernsey in the Combined Counties League, eh? "Providing competitive football for clubs in Berkshire, Hampshire, London, Middlesex and Surrey" as it says on the website. Which is now somewhat geographically challenged. Also known as the Cherry Red Records League, which I trust refers to the music industry, the mind boggles otherwise....
But I can't imagine these lads are planning on a long stay down at level five, so where are they heading? Right to the top? Premier League here they come. It's only eight promotions. How deep are pockets in Guernsey? Pretty deep I guess. And I reckon this might be the start of a trend, although I note of course that Guernsey are claiming to be a full on community club. Bit like us here in Ryhope. Even so, even so. You can imagine your average sheik, wondering what to do with his oodles of cash and how to keep the natives amused so they don't start planning a revolution, thinking to himself, "Premier League club, cost billions, or non league club, few hundred grand? Non league it is for me, the locals round here won't notice much difference". So who could be next?
Jersey obviously, must be some local rivalry in play, Muratti Cup and all, (bit of local Channel Islands football knowledge there), but who else? The Isle of Man? Orkney? Lindisfarne? Doesn't have to be islands, what about a new Belfast making a break from the Irish League? There was some talk about Dublin a few years back, might that get back on the agenda? Could be renaming the Premier League the Islands and Ireland League in a few years time.
Still, futurology aside, I hope our visitors tonight enjoyed the exotic trip at the weekend, sounds like a lot of fun. Nice hotels and restaurants, good shops and bars, quaint streets and nice beaches. Might be a bit of a culture shock when Guernsey come up north next Saturday, mind. Jolly nice place Spennymoor, but it's not the Channel Islands, that’s for sure. No doubt most Islanders will make for Durham or the Toon, and I trust they have fun. A good night out and a good hiding on the Saturday, that’s what we wish them; in a football sense of course. Or we could show them how to go on tonight....