Sports clubs both here and in Guernsey are hoping to make use of the proposed new ’air bridge’ between the two islands.

It was confirmed last week that Guernsey airline Aurigny is hoping to start flights in the next couple of weeks between the two crown dependencies that are both currently Covid-19 free.

Jordan Reynolds, who is director of rugby at Guernsey Raiders, was one of several to suggest this might lead to fixtures or competitions involving teams, clubs and individuals from the two islands.

In an interview with ITV Channel Islands, Reynolds said: ’Once we first heard about it, I was pretty excited about it - any opportunity we can get at the moment is worth its weight in gold.

’If this was able to happen, we’d love to take over three or four teams from here, maybe some supporters too.

’You’ve got to remember everyone lost their holidays in the summer, I’m sure there’s a lot of people who want to get off the island and make a weekend of it.’

Raiders will start the new season in National Two South, two levels above Douglas in the English rugby pyramid.

Reynolds revealed that talks have already begun with the Port-e-Chee outfit about the possibility of some fixtures between the two clubs at the end of the summer.

’As a club we’d definitely be interested in that, but more so on the other point of getting them over to us as well.

’We’ve got hotels, bars and restaurants that need as much business as possible and if we can get a huge contingent of Isle of Man people coming over here I think it can only help the island.’

FC Isle of Man’s Paul Jones agrees that the new air link could also benefit his new club as it tries to enter the English non-league football pyramid next season.

’Clearly we’d like to have some games, and if we’re able to play some games sooner than teams in the UK than that’s a clear competitive advantage for us.’

Guernsey FC began on a similar path to the one that FCIoM is proposing back in 2011 and Jones said a fixture between the two sides would be apt.

’We think it would be quite fitting if the first team FC Isle of Man played against would be one of the teams that inspired us to do what we’re doing.

’It would be a really nice way to start our journey off by having Guernsey on our shores playing against us.

’It would be a good showcase of both of our jurisdictions and the level of football that each is capable of.’