Our final game at Footes Lane may not have gone the way we hoped on the pitch, but off it, the Green Lions once again showed why this club is so special. For one young fan, eight-year-old Ciaran, it was a weekend he will never forget.
Ciaran and his family are devoted Guernsey FC supporters, spanning three generations. Whether watching from afar on iPads or packing the stands together, their love for the club runs deep. Ciaran, his brothers, and his sister, who is at university, have been to countless home matches, idolising players like Brandon Wallace, Jacques Cauvin, and Josh Addison. But this weekend, something truly memorable happened.
All Ciaran wanted was a high five from Josh after the game. Unfortunately, he was on the wrong side of the tunnel when Josh made his way off the pitch. Disappointed, he told his family, “Josh is the only player I’ve never high-fived at Footes Lane, and now I’ll never get the chance.”
Stadium announcer George Fern overheard and decided to make things right. After waiting for the team talk to finish, he arranged for Ciaran to meet Josh properly. Not only did he get his long-awaited high five, but he also received a signed matchday programme, posed for a special photo (thanks to tunnel steward Kev, as Ciaran’s mum’s phone had died), and then came the best bit—Josh gifted him his match gloves and signed them.
Ciaran’s mum, Shelley, told us, “For an eight-year-old who dreams of one day playing in goal for Guernsey FC, this was everything. He has been showing off his gloves to family and friends ever since, absolutely buzzing with excitement.”
But this wasn’t the first time our young players had made an impact on Ciaran and his brother Liam. Back in January, Brandon and Jacques went out of their way to make Liam’s 10th birthday unforgettable. They arranged for the entire team to sign GFC footballs for both boys and even dropped into Liam’s birthday party at Aztech Soccer to take photos and wish him a happy birthday in person. These moments mean the world to young fans, and the dedication of our players off the pitch is a true credit to Guernsey FC.
Ciaran and Liam are Green Lions through and through, proudly wearing their GFC shirts and collecting every piece of club merchandise. Last season, Ciaran waited patiently for over half an hour to get nearly all the team’s signatures on his ball, and he wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Shelley added, “You can see from the photos how amazing these young GFC players are – they are the young faces of the club, encouraging and inspiring the youngsters who think they are phenomenal!”
After a tough result, it’s moments like these that remind us what Guernsey FC is all about. More than just a football club, we are a community club – a club where players and fans share a bond that goes beyond the game.
A huge thank you to Josh, George, Brandon, Jacques, Steve, Kev, and everyone who helped make Ciaran and Liam’s experiences so special. And to Ciaran – keep dreaming big. We hope to see you between the sticks for the Green Lions one day!