Geoff Van der Vliet, with daughter and Tower player Louise and the clean sweep of CI trophies for the past season. Picture by Martin Dalgarno

FIRST Tower United manager Geoff Van der Vliet is blaming the Football Association for his decision to quit women’s football.

Van der Vliet has stepped down having led Tower ladies to the quadruple this season including completing Channel Islands and Jersey Combination championships for the past three seasons.

Van der Vliet said: ‘Rule changes preventing girls from playing senior football until they are 16 is hurting Jersey football badly. The FA just don’t see it; they are damaging the game here because girls are moving to other sports because there is nothing for them when they reach the age of 14.

‘Hockey, basketball, netball and touch allow 14-year-olds to play in their senior teams but the FA does not. We’ve made that point to them and they still refuse to budge.’

‘Paul Creeden at the Jersey Football Association has tried everything to get the FA to change their minds but they continually turn down our requests.’ It’s left a nasty taste in my mouth which is why I’m walking away.’

Geoff Van der Vliet, with daughter and Tower player Louise and the clean sweep of CI trophies for the past season. Picture by Martin Dalgarno