What a first season! Before the end of June we will share a review of the season (on and off the pitch) with our Official Supporters but we think most of us would have been hard pushed to imagine just how fantastic this season was going to be back in July 2021 before we had kicked a ball.
Promotion via the playoffs on home soil in front of 3000+ supporters definitely added to the experience for all concerned. As did the very recent First Division Challenge Cup success that goes a long way to demonstrate the strength in depth within football on the Isle of Man.
The final whistle in the play-off final and the emotions thereafter. Goosebumps.
Camarda’s hit in the play-off semi-final. Postage stamp. Goosebumps.
West Didsbury at home. Goosebumps.
Furo scoring what became his trademark late goal against Maine Rd to secure an, at the time, unlikely point. Felt like we won the cup that day! Goosebumps.
Going behind in our first ever league game at home vs Brocton back in November… Then coming from behind to win in front of 2000+ fans. Goosebumps
Beating Avro (from the league above) away in our first ever FA Vase game. Goosebumps
Walking out at Maine Rd on the 31st July 2021 for our first ever league game. Goosebumps
Everyone will have a moment (or two, maybe more!) to cherish from this season. A goal, a tackle, a shot, a save, a smile, an autograph, a handshake, a hug, a face, a noise (when we score anyone?!), a feeling, a belonging.
And that’s what it’s all about. Our club. Bringing people together and working towards a common goal – helping our community and therefore our club be the very best it can be. Making a difference and adding value to all those around us.
We knew all this COULD happen but we certainly underestimated how quickly it all DID happen and great credit must be given to the players and football staff for how they have conducted themselves this season. Because of this they have become people that we all want to get behind and support. No ego, understanding their role, giving back to the community without a second’s hesitation, great role models for our young people to aspire to. This will have a longer lasting legacy than winning a game. It’s a long win to be proud of. Well done gents. You have set the standard. Now to build on it and raise it further.
To our partners, Manx Telecom, Rex Motors, Hope & Glory, Manx Travel & Bridson and Horrox in particular, who have shown wonderful support and vision in joining us so early in our journey. Working alongside you to move the club forwards has been a great pleasure and we are all looking forward to developing our partnerships over the years ahead. To our match sponsors, advertising boards sponsors, player sponsors and all those organisations who have contributed to our club this season – Thank You. You make a meaningful contribution to all we are doing, which goes a long way to ensure supporters are able to access the club.
To our Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Volunteers and those very important Match Day Stewards. Thank you on behalf of the players, management and supporters for all the time, energy, excellence and passion you have put into your roles. We appreciate you.
To our supporters young and old alike. Thank You for all you have brought to the club over the last 12 months. From those based off the Isle of Man (and beyond) who we have got to know through your support at the away games, to those ‘locals’ who are regular at our home games you really have been incredible. We know the players and coaching staff are hugely grateful for the support (and noise) you have shown over the season and they look forward to being able to renew those connections next season. You make the club a club rather than a team. Let’s keep that going as we all work towards our club becoming a standard bearer for all that a community can be and achieve within football.
The hard work behind the scenes
Those of us working behind the scenes know that we haven’t got everything right, it’s unlikely we ever will, but we have thoroughly enjoyed playing our small part. We have learnt lots during our first season, often on a day to day basis, and we aim to do better next season where possible. We are currently using all those experiences and the information we have gathered about our first season to inform our work and plans for next season and beyond.
There will be some tweaks and changes which we will communicate to you as best we can from the 20th June onwards as required.
Although there is a huge amount to do we are only a relatively small bunch always looking out for more willing volunteers to help us move the club forwards. We require people who can communicate effectively, get things done quickly, use their own initiative as required and, most importantly, people who really believe in what we are doing and how we are doing it.
Please contact info@fcisleofman.im if you are interested and provide us with a little bit of information about why you would like to get involved, which area of the club interests you most and what you may be able to bring to that area in particular.
We will be advertising some roles before the end of June and later on this year we will be looking to appoint more Board members so please let us know if you are interested AND have the skillsets required to add value to our club behind the scenes.
Downtime
As you know OUR club is run solely by volunteers, some of whom have been full gas since 2019 while working to ensure the club becomes a reality AND becomes more than just a one season wonder! With that in mind many of those involved are going to take some time over the next two weeks (Practice week and TT on the IOM) to recharge their batteries. Please bear with us over that time period, as we may not be able to respond to communications as quickly as normal.
That doesn’t mean things will grind to a halt though!
In the coming days Adult Official Supporter Status (16+) will be available for purchase for £24. Watch out for that announcement because you may wish to avail yourselves of some of the benefits in the weeks that follow…
Here is what we can tell you so far
1st June onwards
- Adult Official Supporter Status available to purchase (Junior Supporter status has available since 25th June 2022)
Week of 20th June
- A limited number of Season Tickets will become available with exclusive access for Official Supporters at a discounted rate for 48hrs before going on general sale (if any are left).
- Full confirmation of pre-season schedule will be confirmed if it hasn’t been already
- Pre-season Match tickets will be become available for purchase for Official Supporters and then general sale (if any are left).
Week beginning 27th June 2022
- Official Supporters meeting in-person and online to share the review of 2021/22 season and plans for 2022/23 (on and off the pitch).
- NWCFL fixtures could be released around this time
Dates in July for your diary
- 2nd July – First preseason home fixture (tbc)
- 9th July – Second preseason home fixture (6:30pm KO)
- 16th July – Third (3pm KO) and Fourth (tbc) preseason home fixtures
- 23rd July – Fifth preseason home fixture v Guernsey FC (Skipton Cup 6pm KO)
- 30th July – Likely date for first 22/23 NWCFL Premier League fixture
So exciting times ahead!
We are seeing only a glimpse of what could be possible both on and off the pitch through our football club. Each of us has a responsibly to keep it on track. Yes we wish to be proud of our club for its success on the pitch however, more importantly in our eyes, it’s what we stand for and how we interact with each other, the wider community and those we visit and are visited by that will really show what our club is about.
We have made a great start but that’s all it is. Let’s challenge each other to keep doing and ‘Being Better’ every day.
Who knows where it will take us, our club and our community if we do. It’s in our hands.
Bee Ny Share!
FC Isle of Man
