GUERNSEY boss Tony Vance says the club’s poor away form is the reason they have endured another “mediocre” season.
The Green Lions signed off their Ryman South campaign with a 3-1 loss at relegated Whitstable Town – their ninth away defeat in a row.
Their last victory on the road was on December 12 and their poor away form led to a 13th place finish, 15 points adrift of the play-offs.
“Ultimately we haven’t been good enough this year for many reasons, but the biggest one without a doubt is our away form,” Vance told BBC Radio Guernsey.
“If the table was decided on home performances we’d be close to champions, but away we’d be pushing relegation and that sums it up.
“We’ve got to try to find any way we can to try to improve that next year because if we do that we’ll be competitive.”
Vance has been in charge of Guernsey since they entered the Non-League Pyramid in 2011-12, winning the Combined Counties Division One.
They won promotion from the Combined Counties Premier a year later and after making the play-offs in their debut season in the Ryman South, have finished tenth and 13th.
Despite being disappointed with the club’s league finish, the boss says the Channel Island club will look for ways to reduce their homesickness heading into next season.
“Unfortunately it’s the second season on the bounce we’ve been mediocre,” Vance added. “I’m always looking for solutions, we’re working behind the scenes on some ideas and concepts on how we can improve it.
“A lot depends on the commitment of the lads, which is generally first class. But we’ve got to appreciate it’s the fifth year now, they’ve all got families and are getting older and doing better at work and are busier, it’s life and that’s the lifestyle these days, and that has an effect on the teams we take out.”
Meanwhile, the Green Lions will have to do without defender Jacques Isabelle next season as he moves to Dubai to work in a primary school.
“I am obviously gutted to be leaving Guernsey but I have always been a travelling man,” said Isabelle, who has made 123 appearances for the club over the past five years.
“I will miss everything about GFC – the players, the coaches, the fans and everyone else involved. I’ll especially miss walking out on matchday with that proud feeling that you are representing your island/club for another game of football.”
