Guernsey FC coaches return to manage island team as well

Wednesday 09 February 2022

Tony Vance and Colin Fallaize will be coaching both Guernsey FC and the island's senior men's team for the rest of this season under a new temporary agreement.

Former island manager Vance will return on a caretaker basis to the job he last held more than 10 years ago.

He will have his sights set on regaining the Muratti Vase, which was not played in 2021 or 2020 and which Guernsey lost to Jersey in 2019 and 2018.

The opportunity came about as a result of a vacancy in the role of senior men's team coach since Chris Tardif resigned in November.

Vance said the offer came as a surprise to both him and Fallaize, who will be supporting him in a coaching role with the island side as he does at Guernsey FC.

“To be honest, it is not something 'Fal' or myself were looking to do, but when we were approached by the Guernsey Football Association Board, and given the circumstances, we were happy to take on the responsibility on a caretaker basis," said Vance.

Pictured: Tony Vance coaches both Guernsey FC and now the Guernsey FA senior men's side. 

"Managing Guernsey in a Muratti is always an honour, something both of us have been lucky enough to do in the past, and ultimately after talking through the situation with the Board representatives we both felt that we couldn’t turn our back on this.”

Vance was the Guernsey manager between 2008 and 2011. Fallaize has coached the island side at four Island Games as well as coaching junior squads through the Guernsey FA Academy. 

Guernsey FA Chief Executive Gary Roberts said Vance and Fallaize were the ideal candidates to take the reins of the island side for the rest of the current season.

With the added challenges of the covid pandemic over the past two seasons, he is hoping that bringing back Vance and Fallaize will offer stability over the next few months. 

"The Guernsey FA Board reviewed the position and, when taking all factors into consideration, decided that this was a unique situation and one that justified approaching Tony and Colin and asking if they would be prepared to step into the role on a caretaker basis for this season," said Mr Roberts.

"Whilst we all hope that we are close to the end of the covid-19 pandemic, we have to be mindful of the disruption that has already been caused this season, and the risk of further disruption moving forward, both from covid-19 and the weather, which could impact on planning and preparation for the inter-insular matches. 

Pictured: Tony Vance (centre) with Guernsey footballers Tom de la Mare (left) and Frank Tobin.

“The Board was also mindful of the limited amount of preparation time that any manager would have coming into the role and the opportunity to work with players – both due to the congested local fixture schedule and also that of Guernsey FC, which currently has a significant number of matches to play this season.

"This consideration, along with the continued uncertainty caused by the pandemic, and in the knowledge that Tony and Colin have extensive experience of representative football, led the Board to what was deemed to be a practical and sensible decision for this season.”

Guernsey FA Chairman Chris Schofield said the search for a permanent coach for the men's island side will resume once the 2021/22 season has concluded. 

“We are grateful that Tony and Colin have agreed to step into the role this year, which will hopefully bring success this season and allow the Board the opportunity to review the position regarding the senior men’s representative manager role going forward once the season has concluded," he said. 

As players, Vance and Fallaize were among the most 'capped' players in the history of Muratti football.  

Pictured top: Colin Fallaize (left) and Tony Vance.