Alderney aim to move closer to ending 106 years of hurt
Alderney face Guernsey in the semi-final of the Muratti Vase - a competition they last won 106 years ago.
Alderney - the most northerly of the Channel Islands - has a population of just over 2,000 [BBC] This summer, you will probably hear about England's men trying to end their so-called "60 years of hurt" at the 2026 Fifa World Cup finals. When that old phrase is churned out again, spare a thought for Alderney, who last won a trophy 106 years ago. They host reigning champions Guernsey in the Muratti Vase semi-final on Saturday, the same opponents who they beat for the only time in this competition to win their solitary title in 1920.
"It's really exciting, it's a showpiece event for the island," said Alderney chairman Rob Kirkland. "The eyes of the Channel Islands are on us," he told BBC Radio Jersey. The Muratti Vase is an annual competition that has been held since 1905, with Guernsey and Jersey taking turns to play Kirkland's team in a singular semi-final.
At this stage last year, Jersey won 2-0 at Alderney to knock out the home side at The Arsenal Ground. Guernsey then beat 10-man Jersey 3-1 in the final to win the competition for the first time in eight years. "We will go again with the same mentality of being well organised and put up as good a fight as we can," Kirkland insisted.
"[Spectators] come down in their droves. They are the 12th man. We hope that they will be able to pull the ball into the back of the net!