Guernsey FC unveil plans for new stadium alongside 3G pitch community facility

The Guernsey Football Association and Guernsey FC have unveiled plans for a joint venture that would see a new home of Guernsey football created at Victoria Avenue.
The planning application has been submitted to the States of Guernsey Environment Department for the development of a new community football facility, that will provide a home for the Guernsey FA for the first time in its 125 years of existence.
In order for the community facility to be financially viable, income would need to be generated. Therefore, a 3G pitch training facility will be installed.
The new set up will be used for Guernsey FC's home games, Guernsey FA representative matches, with the 3G training facility available for community use. Having a dedicated football facility would enable the GFA to enhance their coaching, training and grassroots programmes for players from all over the island.
The project will be part funded by the English Football Association in the form of grants and if the planning application is successful, the intention is for the build to begin during 2019 so it is ready for the 2021/22 season.
Guernsey FA chairman, Chris Schofield said: “This project is a massive venture by the GFA and represents the culmination of hundreds of hours of meetings with the Football Association, States departments, architects, project managers, GFC and numerous other parties required to facilitate such a project.
“The GFA is a charitable association and senior GFA Board members have worked tirelessly over the last four years to develop a project that is feasible in terms of an appropriate venue, with affordable avenues of finance that will not impact directly on the association membership and sustainable in the long term.
“This is an exciting time in Guernsey football history and we hope that this project will go a long way to securing the long-term future of the Islands largest participant and spectator sport.”
Guernsey FC chairman Mark Le Tissier added: “GFC have made no secret of the fact that in order for the club to be sustainable in the long term the club would need our own home to generate the income required to participate in the FA National League Pyramid.
“Over the last 7 years we have used Footes Lane Stadium on match days however, we have been restricted in our capacity or opportunity to drive additional income opportunities at this ground, owing to situations beyond our control.
“We are delighted to be working alongside the GFA to present a bright future for football on the island as well as creating a brand-new community hub” “It is our vision that this new facility will be much more than a stand where our fans watch football. We hope to create a community hub and our ethos for the facility is very much in line with the goals of the GFA.”