FC Isle of Man is absolutely delighted to announce that the club’s first ever game will take place on Saturday August 15th.
This momentous game will be against Guernsey FC at the Bowl and will kick off at 6.30pm. The ‘air corridor’ recently introduced by the authorities of the respective islands has allowed us to organise this game.
This will be a significant moment in the club’s history and everyone at FC Isle of Man is eagerly anticipating the prospect of providing our island’s community the opportunity to see an FC Isle of Man team take to the field for the first time.
We are particularly pleased that our first opponents in this inaugural game for the club will be Guernsey FC. The national teams of both islands have maintained a friendly rivalry for many years having faced each other on numerous occasions in Island Games tournaments in the past. More poignantly however, it was Guernsey FC who became the first offshore club side to apply and compete in the FA National League System and they have been a significant inspiration to all at FC Isle of Man in establishing our own club.
This game will be the culmination of two years of hard work and will be an enormously proud moment for everyone at FC Isle of Man, our supporters, and our sponsors.
We will be issuing ticket information in relation to the game in the coming days.
Paul Jones, FC Isle of Man Director of Football stated:
The club have hit a quite a few Milestones over the last few weeks and none are bigger than our very first game! Seeing an FC Isle of Man team playing in a kit chosen by the supporters will be a special moment for all those who have supported the club over the last few months and it is the final step in us taking an idea to reality.
It is fitting that we are playing against the club that inspired our journey and we thank them in their efforts to get the game on. We look forward to spending some time with them over the weekend.
This club is owned by the community and we look forward to welcoming supporters from across the Island to the Bowl on the evening of the 15th August. With the local Manx football season starting on that day we hope it can be a festival of football.
Let’s celebrate our Island and the game we love by going out in the afternoon to support teams in the local league before heading over the Bowl for a match-day experience that, until now, has only been available by getting on a boat or plane!
Chris Bass, FC Isle of Man Team Manager stated:
I am absolutely delighted and excited about this game on two counts. Firstly, to be able to arrange a match during these strange times is a great opportunity for our players to represent the club and our community at such an early stage in our process.
Secondly, I am really happy that the game is against Guernsey FC. They’ve competed at the level we’re entering and have been successful so it will be an eye opener to see how our players match up against them.
Nic Legg, Guernsey FC Director stated:
Guernsey FC are honoured to have been invited to play in FC Isle of Man’s inaugural game. It promises to be a special occasion and we can’t wait to be involved.
We have fond memories of our first ever game in 2011, a 11-goal thriller against League Two AFC Wimbledon, which ended 6-5 to the visitors. Here is hoping both teams can put on another game that will be remembered in years to come.
All at Guernsey Football Club wish FC Isle of Man all the best as they begin their journey as a football club.
