Guernsey’ s New Home
Despite Guernsey FC’ s whirlwind introduction to English domestic football, they remained in the second tier of the Isthmian League from 2013 / 14 to 2024 / 25, generally finishing in the lower half of the table. Having to pay the travelling expenses of the opposition, as well as their own, has proved a considerable strain on their finances, not helped by average attendances declining to around( a still respectable) 600 to 700. It became apparent from early on that instead of Footes Lane, which is shared with both Guernsey Athletics Club and Guernsey Raiders Rugby Football Club, a football specific stadium would better suit Guernsey FC’ s needs. To this end, Guernsey FC and the Guernsey FA got together in 2014 to develop plans for such a facility. The site chosen was the Victoria Avenue Playing Fields, St Sampson, a venue that was used in the football competition of the 2003 Island Games, and which happened to be directly adjoining The Track.
Victoria Avenue Playing Fields in 2003 Photo: Bob Lilliman
It wasn’ t until 2019 that planning permission was granted for the new stadium, with concerns about the parking in Victoria Avenue holding up matters. Once approved, the intention was to have the stadium ready for the 2021 Island Games, but the pandemic put paid to those plans, and when the rescheduled Island Games took place in 2023, the new facility was still some way from completion. But finally, on 29 March 2025, eleven years after the idea was first mooted, Victoria Park, was ready to stage its first match.
A sign at the entrance to the new stadium reads‘ Victoria Park – Guernsey’ s Home of Football’, and that very much explains the concept behind the £ 10 million project. For in addition to being the Guernsey FA’ s first permanent home since their formation in 1893 and the new base for Guernsey FC’ s men’ s and women’ s teams, it is intended as a community hub for the island’ s players, families and supporters. In fact, the stadium’ s importance and significance was such that it was granted a state opening, with the ribbon being cut by the Lieutenant- Governor of Guernsey, Lieutenant Richard J Cripwell.
Left: Signage at the entrance to the newly opened Victoria Park
Photos: Vince Taylor
5