En Voyage - Issue #8

LION LEAVES
THE PRIDE
Guernsey Football Club’s green lions lose
their star striker to New Zealand
ROSS ALLEN
For Guernsey’s Ross Allen,
the travel bug has gotten the
better of him and he has left his
striker position at the island’s
football club. We spoke to the
30-year-old just days before
he hopped on a flight and
headed south for the winter.
Ross has been a key player at
Guernsey FC since its inception
in 2011 – scoring more than
a goal a game – 239 goals in
226 appearances. He will be
greatly missed by fellow players,
the support team, and fans.
Having visited New
Zealand during the 2016 to
17 season, Ross is returning
on working holiday visa.
The number 10 said he would
miss the fans the most for sure.
‘They have kept this project
going and their support has
been phenomenal,’ he said. ‘Not
just the fans at home, but also
the dedicated “mainlanders”
who put in lots of hours to
come and watch us.’
It is clear that Ross is ready for
a new adventure, but Guernsey
will always be home. ‘A return to
Guernsey is always in my plans,’
he said. ‘I just don’t know when
that will be. It could be months,
years, as a visitor, or coming back
for good.’ But to live and work
in New Zealand was a chance
he could not turn down. ‘I just
know at this stage of my life I
would look back with regret if
I didn’t take this opportunity.
But I hope I haven’t played my
last game for Guernsey.’
Ross plans to weigh up his
options, in terms of work, when
he gets to New Zealand, and,
if he can put his football boots
on again – and play for a team
there – that would be a major
bonus. ‘My original plan was
just to spend more time there
travelling and maybe finding
some work, but if I can bring
football into the equation
then even better,’ he said.
239 GOALS
IN 226 APPEARANCES
121