Guernsey FC reached their first ever play-off final in the Southern Combination Football League, beating Horsham YM 3-0 in the semi-final on 2 May 2026, with goals from Fazakerley (two) and Loaring. Their opponents in the final are Peacehaven & Telscombe, who overcame Haywards Heath Town 1-0 in the other semi-final. The final was originally scheduled for Guernsey's home ground Victoria Park on Sunday 10 May 2026.
However, the Southern Combination Football League then switched the venue away from Guernsey to the UK mainland, citing complex travel arrangements — a decision taken without giving Guernsey FC the opportunity to address or mitigate those concerns. The club stated they were "extremely disappointed and frustrated," arguing that the right to home advantage was earned on merit and that removing it undermines the integrity of the competition. Further controversy followed when Guernsey FC stated they had been informed that their proposed travel arrangements had been considered by Peacehaven & Telscombe, who were unable to agree to the proposal on a number of grounds. In the club's own words, this raised further concern that Peacehaven & Telscombe had effectively been given discretion over whether the fixture would be played in Guernsey, rather than the league enforcing the fixture at the venue earned on sporting merit and under the competition regulations.
Following further negotiations, the league reversed its decision. The play-off final will now take place at Victoria Park in Guernsey on Saturday 23 May 2026, kicking off at 1.30pm. Guernsey FC welcomed the reversal warmly, placing on record their thanks to supporters for their backing throughout the dispute.
This episode is a direct illustration of a Fair Football Alliance principle: home advantage earned on sporting merit must be respected, and geography should not override what a club has earned on the pitch. Island clubs like Guernsey FC should be helped by their league to remain connected to the pyramid — not worked against.