But this latest reverse will be best remembered for the atrocious conditions in which it was played.

Although Alderney’s only victory in the Channel Islands Championship was against Guernsey 104 years ago, there have been some recent close contests between the two islands.

The mists of time, however, we completely blown away by violent squalls of gale force winds that battered the Arsenal.

Biting, icy, blasts of rain falling like stair-rods swept the ground, turning the drenched supporters almost the colour of the blue and white, scarves, hats and wigs the vast majority of them proudly wore.

At one point during the second half, the wind grew even fiercer and the rain turned to sleet, making difficult to see more than a few yards. No-one could have complained had the tie been abandoned. Not surprisingly, the football was hardly entertaining, but there was no shortage of effort and sheer determination from the two sets of players.

Guernsey, with eight players from the island’s Isthmian League team in their line-up and the others from leading Priaulx League outfits, looked the more assured in conditions that often-made football almost impossible.

But Alderney battled every greasy inch and rain sodden yard along the way. Their tenacity and pride in the Island they represent, always shone through  It carried them through a difficult first half when they did well to stay in the game, despite having the best chance when a fierce 25-yard effort from the indefatigable Jermaine Parry was pushed around the post for a corner.

The second half was a different story, as Guernsey, with the wind now in their favour, handled the conditions much better than Alderney with far more speculative attempts at goal. 

Barely four minutes after an interval that was more of a respite, the outstanding Charlton Gauvain lived up to his illustrious first name with a powerful shot from the edge of the box to put Guernsey ahead.

Gauvain then claimed a second goal with a header from a long throw-in by Jamie Dodd that appeared to go in off a defender before his side then put the tie to bed with two goals in almost as many minutes from Keene Domaille and Matt Loaring.

But the biggest cheer came in the 85th minute when 18-year-old substitute Rio Bowditch created a moment to cherish with Alderney’s consolation goal with five minutes left.

Alderney: James Taylor; Sean Maloy, John Adamson, Dante Walker, Jason Atkins, Andy Adamson, Liam Connor,, Cosmin Sergiu, Jermaine Parry, Josh Concanen, Jamie Blackham, Subs: Andy Lawrence, Ronan Gillingham, Steve Concanen, Rio Bowditch, Dean Carre, & Joe Blackham

17th February 2024 Alderney Nomads v Belgrave Wanderers

Kindly sponsored by The Rotary Club
Match report – Priaulx league
Alderney Nomads 3 – 2 Belgrave Wanderers

A welcome return to home Priaulx action for the Nomads on a dry mild afternoon, as they
welcomed fellow strugglers Belgrave Wanderers, looking to avenge last week’s 3-0 defeat.
The home side started brightly as they tend to do, playing in forward positions J Concanen and Parry and a home debut to C Sergiu playing in a central position. It was Bels that had the first chance though the Hockey found himself with an open net but his shot went wide from outside the box, it was the home keeper that was the busiest in the opening exchanges. Both sides were struggling to keep possession and it wasn’t until 20mins from a corner the ball fell to J Conancen whose shot was timely blocked. Connor had a shot that just cleared the bar and from another corner excellent drilled by Walker, again the ball found Concanen he couldn’t quite connect it was another good opportunity to take the lead. A Bels attack put keeper Taylor under pressure and he collides and concedes a penalty, Cummins-Wall takes JT saves but the resulting scramble rebound and the ball finds the net 0-1 Hockey and Foss were finding themselves in space frequently with Foss having an excellent chance to make it two a one on one with Taylor. But then on the stroke of half time a clever corner neatly worked with Lawrence and Walker, the ball found Lawrence who cooly finished sending the ball into the top corner 1-1

Half Time Alderney 1-1 Bels

Buoyant by the goal the Nomads started well and dominated the ball, half chances fell to Carre a header over and a Concanen shot as they searched to take the lead. On came veteran Steve Concanen replacing hard working Liam Connor, he immediately caused some chaos in the box from an Alderney corner, the ball fell to his brother who blasted the ball into the net 2-1. The home side continued to press looking for a 3 rd chances fell to Parry and Lawrence both cam close, however in the closing stages Bels had a long throw the ball bounced in the box and was neatly finished at the far post 2-2. The drama did not end there with time running out and full credit to the Nomads, a skillful direct run by Walker dribbled his way into the box his shot was saved by Gontier but somehow whilst on the floor he managed to tap the ball into the net to send the home team and support ecstatic.

Full time 3-2

Attendance 93

Team: James Taylor, Sean Maloy, Dean Carre, Josh Concanen, Andy Adamson, Liam Connor,
Jermaine Parry, Cosmin Sergiu, John Adamson, Dante Walker, Andy Lawrence.
Sub: Steve Concanen

Alderney’s Man of the Match Josh Concanen, player sponsor Rachal Bowditch

Alderney’s next home March 2 nd v St Martins kick off 13.00 sponsored by The Tickled Pink
Builders Alderney FA

JAMIE Blackham wrote his name into the Island’s sporting history books with a goal that gave Alderney a faint glimmer of hope in their Muratti Vase semi-final against Jersey. Only a few Alderney players have managed to get their name on the score-sheet since the competition, named after a once popular brand of cigarettes, was formed in 1905. Following a first half dominated by Jersey, his well taken effort reduced the visitors’ lead to 3-1 minutes after the interval and the Arsenal ground erupted, in joy. It was the first goal an Alderney player had scored in the Muratti for six years.

But their jubilation was short-lived as Francis Lekimimati hammered in a free kick to make it 4-1 to put paid to any ideas Alderney had of staging a dramatic revival.

By that time, a composed and confident Jersey side had stamped their authority on the tie and they went on to win in style and with ease.

After a minutes’ silence for Nomads’ Chairman Reg Atkins, whose memory was honoured in the commemorative programme, Jersey, with the blustery, swirling wind so prevalent at the ground, in their favour, stamped their authority on the tie.

Nomads have managed to close the gap on their illustrious opponents in the Muratti in recent years, often losing by the odd goal.

But for much of the first half it was one-way traffic with Alderney struggling to cope with threat of Jersey’s tall, but quick front man, Harrison Moon. Unsurprisingly, he scored twice and a third for Jersey came when a right wing cross evaded most of the red-shirted Jersey attackers, but appeared to go in off an Alderney defender before nestling in the net. The interval gave Nomads some respite and they made a determined start to the second half with Blackham’s memorable goal.

Lekimimati then took the momentum out of what might have been a revival before Karl Hinds headed in the fifth goal for the reigning champions and then Jack Cannon, who equalled the appearance record for Jersey in the competition, completed the rout from the penalty spot after Nomads’ goalkeeper Dean Carre had made a brave, but futile attempt to prevent a goal.
In the end, the tie went the way most people would have predicted. Alderney did not let the Island down, but Jersey was far too strong and chalked up their 76th straight win in the competition they have dominated and now meet Guernsey in another final in May.

Alderney: Dean Carre, Josh McCulloch, John Adamson, Josh Concanen, Andy Adamson, Jason Atkins, Richard Moore, Jermaine Perry, Jamie Blackham, Joe Blackham, Liam Connor. Subs: Owen Carre, Dillian Dupont, Matt Aldcroft, Florin Lungo.

Alderney’s Man-of-the-Match, sponsored by The Campania Inn was Jermaine Perry.

The Nomads welcomed league leaders Rovers to the arsenal ground for their last Priaulx home game of the season a couple of Saturdays ago. The home game was the first one since the sad passing of former chairman Reg Atkins, the team wore black arm bands and observed a minutes silence before the kick off. 

Alderney started really well and were causing Rovers a few issues a header from Lawrence from a corner went over the bar, and the visiting keeper parred a free kick away from goal from Dante, which was on target. With the strong NE wind behind them John had a shot wide, certainly an even first 30 mins. But Rovers made it 0-1 a cross evades Dean leaving a simple tap in for Rovers, their next goal soon after was a shot that rattled the bar and was adjudged to have crossed the goal line 0-2 at half time, most who were watching agreed with home linesman Pete Concanen.

Half Time Alderney 0 – 2 Rovers

The 2nd half was dominated by the league leaders Carre certainly the busiest keeper, making several good saves, a defensive mix up contributed to Rovers 3 rd and their 4th soon followed, Alderney’s only chance to get on the score sheet came from a set piece coach Josh Concanen’s direct shot was neatly tipped over the bar.

Full time 0-4

Attendance 98+ 2 dogs

Team: Dean Carre, Josh Concanen, Andy Adamson, John Adamson, Florin Lungo, Liam Connor,
Jermaine Parry, Matt Aldcroft, Andrew Lawrence, Dante Walker, Owen Carre.
Subs: Dillan Dupont & Derrick Chege

Alderney’s Man of the Match Josh Concanen, match sponsor The Georgian
Alderney’s next home The Muratti Semi Final March 25 th v Jersey kick off 12.00 sponsored by
Close Finance

Alderney FA

Kindly sponsored by The Rotary Club
Match report – Priaulx league & Baker Cup
Alderney Nomads 0 – 2 Rangers

A bright sunny day welcomed Guernsey Rangers to Alderney, the home side seeking a change in fortunes following their 8-2 defeat to Rangers last week. The size of the squad has been a problem for coach Josh, and he was forced to play club chairman James Taylor in goal with Dean making up a back three. The Nomads did welcome back for his first start John Adamson. The game started in pretty much similar fashion to most of the Priaulx games with Alderney conceding an early goal, the ball came off the bar and the ball fell to Rangers forward who’s tap in only just crossed the line 0-1, the opening exchanges were played in the Nomads half the sun clearly causing problems for the defence and keeper. Rangers went two up with a long range looping freekick from 35 yards out found the top corner of JT’s net!

0-2. It sparked the home side into life with as they started to string a few passes together mainly down the righthand side involving Flo, John & Dante, certainly an improved last qtr of the first half without creating any chances to test Rangers keeper.

Half Time Alderney 0 – 2 Rangers

Typically the sun went in or was not as bright for the start of the 2 nd half, the blues started well a cross down on the righthand side fell to Owen who couldn’t muster a first time shot, our first real sight of goal. Jermaine also put in an excellent cross with pace but the visiting keeper scooped this up. The Nomads continued to push forward and from a resulting corner the ball fell to Dean Carre who’s free header with power went wide, the best chance yet. Flo had a shot that went over and John wins a free kick which JC takes; far post the ball falls to the head of captain Andy Adamson his header was just over the bar. Another great chance to score. Owen had a shot that was wide, it was all the home side, with Rangers happy to defend their two-goal cushion, on came Jack for Flo and was booked soon after, Dillan replaced the tired John, The Nomads had the chances and the possession in the 2 nd half and can hold their heads up high for the effort they put in, but as the half went on it was Rangers that looked the most likely to score again. Nomads have only scored three goals all season here at the arsenal and the league leaders are up next! In a couple of weeks.

Full time 0-2

Attendance 89 + 2 dogs
Team: James Taylor, Florin Lungo, Josh Concanen, Andy Adamson, Dean Carre, Liam Connor, Jermaine Parry, Matt Aldcroft, John Adamson, Dante Walker, Owen Carre.

Subs: Dillan Dupont & Jack Williams

Alderney’s Man of the Match James Taylor, match sponsor The Rotary Club

Alderney’s next home February 25 th v Guernsey Rovers kick off 13.00 sponsored by The Georgian Inn Alderney FA

I initially started to help football activities with administration and transport support for the 2011 Island Games on the Isle of Wight. For these games Park Cameras sponsored the training and leisurewear which you still see around the island today. Who could forget the crocodile dance behind the Bermudan team at the opening ceremony as Lord Seb Coe looked on whilst in the planning stages for London 2012 Olympic Games.

We went from borrowing second strips, mixing pairs of socks from different strips to having home and away adult kits, juniors all with Alderney kit and secured long term clothing sponsorship and kit partnership with Stenham Trust and Jamie MacDonald respectively.

As the commercial manager I set up the vice presidents, life presidents and enjoy the banter around the league table of the respective football clubs that each person supports. Although Manchester United have often finished at the top, it’s worth noting Brighton and Hove Albion has been a constant high up the list and always above Celtic, Rangers, Villa and Hearts!

We have set up fundraising activities which have ranged from match and player sponsorships and Vice Presidents list mentioned earlier, plus a Dingo evening (Bingo with a meal) and continued the jumble sales. We have compiled Fixture Books, as well as generating more income from the Muratti Programmes with reduced contra adverts. The friendliness and generosity of the people of Alderney is what makes this island so special, and that support has been unwavering even in the hard times we have experienced in recent years.

Kids football started to receive financial support for flights from the Trips Fund organizer Jim Phillips and Alderney Sports Foundation led by Simon Brazier, plus over the years significant amounts from Michael Maunder and Sam Chadwick and the Meat draw. The first set of beneficiaries included Owen Carre, Sol Bower, Oliver Taylor, Heidi Dawber and Ayla Lord. From which Heidi and Ayla got selected onto the girl’s elite pathway route for which there is no boys equivalent.

Additionally, we have raised over £120,000 for the clubhouse extension and architect drawings with more than 80% of funds raised off island including major donations from Lloyds Bank Foundation and Guernsey Community Foundation. I am grateful to my daughter Kirstie Atkins for her help with these and other grant applications. 

This is in addition to the monies raised to support Priaulx League, Island Games participation and kid football activities. As the Commercial Manager I lent the club money so in 2016 we could enter the Priaulx League and pay the 2017 Gotland Island Games Registration Fees before the deadline of September 30th, 2016.

These efforts off the pitch are vital in order to support Island Games entries for Isle of Wight (2011), Jersey (2015), Gotland (2017) and Ynys Mon (2019) where we finished in 7th place, to date our best finishing place. I am proud that our small island has been able to compete in successive football events after our only previous entry in 2003. More importantly the opportunities and memories that our participation has given to all involved.

Sadly, it looks as though we will not be competing in Guernsey in 2023, but as I am stepping down from being the AFA Chairman before that point, someone else can take credit / blame for that! Although there were successive postponements of the Muratti I can hardly be blamed for a global pandemic! For several years I have represented Alderney FA on various committees mainly on teams’ video for Muratti and Inter Island Insular Meetings plus doing all the flight bookings and doing the registrations with one year off when Ross Benfield did it. Rachal Bowditch has also been not only helped the club financially but also represented us for some meetings in Guernsey.

I also did all the hotel bookings often getting special rates for the club by getting them to directly match my Expedia VIP Membership Rates. I am also grateful to support received from David Legg for helping set up our constitution and governance structure.

Muratti days are always very special occasions. It was great to see it return this year. Once again, the boys did us proud and I remain convinced that one day Alderney will win again. This special underdog story was famously covered in a four-page spread within the FourFourTwo magazine. Thanks to Andrew Lawrence for helping me to support that. I was also pleased to get the Muratti covered in a centre page spread in the Non-League Newspaper.

We have strengthened Governance and Safeguarding, establishing roles and responsibilities to share the workload through a committee which meets regularly. Together with Richard Hunt and Lee Sanders we have created and reviewed policies, which in addition to coach qualifications and the clubhouse redevelopment with two separate changing rooms for kids as well as storage for training and first aid kits, has resulted in full FA Chartered Accreditation.

Pete Concanen and I became the trustees in 2018 to take responsibility for use of the land and ability to ask permission of the General Services Committee of any development. Josh has agreed to take over from me.

In terms of Coach Development, we have organised visits from Football Development Officer Gus Mackay and Safeguarding Officer Mike Garnett. A few people got the FA Playmaker Qualification including Alan Adamson, Lee Sanders, Richard Hunt, and myself, which formed as a stop gap until the Level 1 Coaching qualification became available online which Annabelle Tate went on to get.

For the future I would like to see the following:

•            Greater number of qualified coaches to sustain and strengthen our position as an FA Chartered Club and more importantly provision for kids’ football

•            Installation of permanent floodlights to enable consistent training over the winter months

•            A separate training area, which would facilitate a funding application for floodlights cannot get if training on playing pitch.

•            Consolidate and sustain fundraising and sponsorship activities to keep the AFA and Club on a solid financial footing to support football activities

•            Redevelop the clubhouse to increase capacity and improve pitch viewing plus safer straighter stair access.

•            Develop other income streams from facilities, e.g., room hire for band practice, physiotherapy and sports massage consultation and treatment rooms.

•            Develop a sound business case to install, maintain and replace a floodlight 4G pitch 

Ultimately, I had a dream of holding the Island games in Alderney in 2031 which was confirmed by Gotland Island Games CEO as eminently desirable as no small island has yet done it. Joe Blackham has enthusiastically promised to try and fulfil. This would be possible with 11 to 13 sports that could be Sailing, Windsurfing, Beach Volleyball, (Needs more changing rooms at harbour) Football, Cycling (if roads improved) Football, T20 Cricket, Rugby sevens (if pitch could be made opposite Whitegates), Badminton (if Sports Hall at school gets built) Table Tennis, Bowls, Triathlon and Tennis  (would need 2 more courts in addition to 4 at Tennis Club.

I would like to thank all those that have supported me and the AFA over the years. Apologies if I forget to mention now but includes: Lois Le Lacheur as Welfare Officer and previously James Taylor, Lee Sanders as Publicity Officer and Secretary and Merchandise Organiser, Gareth Foster for developing the website which Joe Blackham now manages, Pete Concanen with the building works, pitch and ground maintenance, Wendy Dupont with catering, Dingo and jumble sales, Paul Southcote for refereeing Alderney week kids football and Alderney week activities, Paul Williams and then  Ceri MacFarlane for running the bar, Ann Adamson and Steve Concanen as licensees.  Treasurers including Andrea Maxwell, Andrew Lawrence, Richard Hunt, Alan Hussey; Alan Adamson and Josh Concanen as managers and coaches who have trained and prepared the team over the years. Thanks to Alan, Annabelle Tate, ,Jason Atkins Iain MacFarlane and Paul Bunn for coaching the kids’ football, with coaching visits from Caroline as well. Thanks to Josh Concanen for organising the bonus ball draw which raises £5,700 per annum. Thanks to Tina Dupont for all her fundraising and sponsorship efforts and help with catering. We are also grateful to Neil Hunter for being our Auditor.

I would like to thank everyone, for personal and corporate sponsorship and donations and general financial support. A special thank you to major donors Julie Uggla, Linda and Leslie Aldis and Simon Brazier of the Sports Foundation and the Guernsey Post plus significant sponsorship and advertising support from James Walker Builders. This season’s match sponsors included James plus Ashley Foster, Ros Whittome, The Georgian House, Tina and Dave Dupont,  Alderney Rotary Club, Linda and Leslie Aldis Thanks to the Honours Board sponsors Alderney Electricity, Alderney Shipping, Pat Magnum, Ray Parkin, Robin Whicker and Stenham Trustees. Without this financial support we could not run a league team, offer the kids opportunities to play off island or compete in the island games.

I would also like to thank our 19 Life Presidents Heart of Midlothian Alan Adamson, West Ham Leslie Aldis, West Ham Linda Aldis, Brighton and Hove Albion Reg Atkins, Bolton Wanderers  Sam Chadwick,  Paul Docherty Southampton, Ellis Downes Leicester City, Leeds United Tina Dupont, Frank Games Liverpool ,Bristol Rovers Richard Hunt, Manchester United Alan Hussey, Dundee United Jamie MacDonald,  Aston Villa Pat Magnum, Ajax Rein Meyer, Bristol City Mike Price, Glasgow Rangers Alan Semple, Crystal Palace Adrian Street, Leyton Orient Glenn Strongitharm and Wolverhampton Wanderers Robin Whicker, paying £150 to support our club, more welcome please.

A big thank you to everyone that helps and supports the club. From those that help in the kitchen and in the bar on match days, to those selling programmes, especially for the Muratti. Also, the Benfield family and Dougal Bohan on Bingo Fundraising and Wendy Dupont and friends for Jumble sales.

I would like to take a moment to remember all the people that have done a lot for Alderney Football during my time, but are sadly no longer with us, which includes, Louis Dupont, Ray Parkin and Mullo to name a few.

Finally, I remember fondly taking the Priaulx League title race down to the last game of the season, where we finished runners up. I would dearly love to see Alderney win the Priaulx and a Muratti Semi-Final. I would like to wish Alderney Football the very best of luck for the future. I hope to watch on for as long as possible and then look down after that – but either way I will always be watching and supporting Alderney Football.