Guernsey Football Club, nicknamed “The Green Lions,” is a non-league football club based in St Peter Port, Guernsey.
Established in 2011, they currently compete in the Pitching In Isthmian League South Central Division, which is part of the eighth tier of English football. The team calls Footes Lane their home ground.
Guernsey FC’s roots trace back to the 2009-10 season, when the island’s representative team triumphed in the FA National League System Cup, culminating in a 5-2 victory over the Liverpool County Premier League in front of 2,500 fans in Guernsey. Their success earned them the distinction of being the first non-mainland team to host an FA final and the chance to represent England in the UEFA Regions Cup in Croatia. Despite mixed results, this experience motivated players and staff to establish a formal club. Founding directors Steve Dewsnip and Mark Le Tissier gained support from the FA, local authorities, and sponsors, leading to Guernsey FC’s acceptance into the Combined Counties League in 2011. The club’s debut season was a resounding success, winning Division One and the Premier Challenge Cup in 2012, securing promotion at their first attempt.
The following years brought both challenges and achievements for the “Green Lions.” After a historic FA Vase semi-final run in 2012-13, Guernsey achieved promotion to the Isthmian League but faced demanding schedules and fluctuating form. Highlights included becoming the first Channel Islands team to play in the FA Cup, while new talents emerged like Robbie Legg, the club’s youngest scorer at 16. However, by the mid-2010s, injuries and key player absences caused difficult seasons, including a relegation battle in 2016-17. Resilience and the introduction of young players saw Guernsey maintain their league position despite struggles, including a dramatic final-day survival in 2018-19. The club experienced interruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, withdrawing from the 2020-21 season due to travel restrictions but returning to midtable form in 2021-22 despite logistical challenges.
In recent seasons, Guernsey has continued to face ups and downs, with injury-hit campaigns and slow starts often followed by strong finishes to avoid relegation. The emergence of Alex Scott as a standout talent brought attention to the club, as the former player went on to earn national recognition and a record transfer to Bournemouth in 2023. The 2023-24 season marked a significant milestone with the launch of the Green Lionesses, who achieved early success by winning the Jersey FA Cup and advancing toward league football. With the establishment of a women’s team and a focus on developing youth talent, Guernsey FC remains committed to building a sustainable future for football on the island.