MATCH PREVIEW: Irlam FC (h)

Last time out a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser from Dean Pinnington helped FC Isle of Man take a deserved first point of 2024 in the North West Counties Football League against a strong opposition in Kendal Town FC.

Match Highlights, FC Isle of Man 1 – 1 Kendal Town FC.
Post match reaction from Manager Paul Jones
Post match reaction from Phil Kelly

The Ravens will be looking to go one better this week against Irlam FC who currently sit in 18th place, five points behind the Ravens but having played six less games. We of course played Irlam twice last season, with the two games between the sides averaging a total of 4.5 goals and both teams scoring on both occasions so once again we can expect goals at The Bowl this week.

Squad News

As reported on Sunday evening the injury to Dan Simpson wasn’t as positive as Manager Paul Jones hoped in his post match interview and we confirm that Dan has sustained a fractured leg. Everyone involved with the club would like to send Dan lots of love and best wishes for the recovery ahead. Tom Creer comes into replace him, appearing in the squad for the first time this calendar year.

The other change from the squad last week is Jack McVey comes in to replace the unavailable Ryan Burns.

  • Jacob Crook
  • Tom Creer
  • Sean Doyle
  • Tiernan Garvey
  • Danny Gerrard
  • Charlie Higgins
  • Frank Jones
  • Phil Kelly
  • Ronan McDonnell
  • Jack McVey
  • Dean Pinnington 
  • Eoghain Sherrard
  • Callum Sherry
  • Kyle Watson
  • Michael Williams
  • Ben Wilkinson 

The history of our opposition (Irlam FC)

Game Day

If it is your first time watching the Ravens or you have have travelled to the Island to watch the game this evening (welcome!), we have everything covered below in terms of the game day details!

FC Isle of Man’s home stadium “The Bowl” is based in our capital Douglas.

The pitch is a 3G surface and there are seats for up to 3,500 spectators, including a viewing platform for disabled users.

Getting here

Just a twenty minute walk from central Douglas, there is car parking on site and many bus services drop off on Peel Road, just a minute’s walk from the ground.

Address
The Bowl
Peel Road
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM2 1AD

What 3 Words
///rates.bunks.spine

Gates to the ground will open at 5:00pm ahead of the 6:00pm kick off. We have two entrances, one at the main car park (Gate A) and another at the National Sports Centre end of the ground (Gate B).

We operate a strict no alcohol policy at The Bowl. If you are looking to meet up with fellow fans pre-match a number of supporters usually head to The Pinewood Social Club. This is open to both home and away fans.

Tickets

Tickets are available from TicketCo here and will also be available at the ground where cash or card is accepted. We do encourage purchasing your tickets online to avoid any delays getting into the ground.

General Admission £10.00
Concession (Ages 12-16, Students / Over 60s / Disabled) £5.00
Junior (Ages 5-11) £3.00
Child (Under 5) Free

Matchday Hospitality

In partnership with local business The Food Cellar, FC Isle of Man are pleased to be able to offer matchday hospitality to all match going fans (home or away). Recently opened on the doorstep of The Bowl, The Food Cellar is the newest café, deli and events space on the Island bringing you a place to relax, unwind and enjoy yourself before heading into The Bowl to cheer on the Ravens.

The hospitality package is priced at £45 and includes:

  • Homemade Burger & Chips
  • 2 beers or 2 glasses of wine
  • Matchday Programme
  • Team Sheet
  • Match Ticket
  • Priority Seating (half way line)
  • Complementary tea or coffee at half time

We are also pleased to be able to offer Ravens season ticket holders a discount of 20%. If you wish to use the discount please send us an email.

Matchday Programme

Our brilliant programme editor Manuela Swiatek along with The Ravens 12th Man put in a lot of work each week to deliver a high standard match day programme. The programmes printed locally by BHW Printgroup and are priced at just £2. They are available from both entrances as well as The Pinewood Social Club and this week in the programme we cover:

  • A welcome from Andy Birchall
  • Thoughts from manager Paul Jones
  • History of Irlam FC
  • Meet the Volunteers, Callum Staley
  • Information on the Ravenscast
  • Raymond’s Corner
  • IFGL Quiz
  • and much more

You can of course receive a FREE digital programme each week by becoming a Ravens Official Supporter. More details on that can be found here.

A pound for the ground & golden goal

To help raise money for the club we run two competitions on game day and it is your chance to support the club whilst being in with the chance of winning some money! Cash or card is taken for both and tickets can be purchased from the merchandise table.

Golden Goal

Each ticket for golden goal costs just £2 and contains a concealed minute, if the goal is scored in the minute you have then you have won! The winner will be announced over the PA when the first goal of the game is scored. The winner will receive £90!

A Pound for the Ground

New to FC Isle of Man and currently on a trial basis is a pound for the ground! The tickets are just £1 each and the winner takes 40% of sales. This operates like a tombola, where for each £1 you get a ticket with a unique number on. It is then drawn from the Ravens tombola box at half time.

Catering

We will have both Douglas Pizza Company and Prep Fresh at the ground on Saturday to keep you watered and fed! Douglas Pizza Company will be offering hot dogs, tea, coffee and confectionary. Prep Fresh will be offering brisket baps, tea, coffee and confectionary.

Please do support them.

Staying up to date with the game

We would love to welcome you to The Bowl but if you can’t make it due to other commitments or not being on the Island, don’t worry we have you covered!

Live Stream

Our live stream is available to purchase for just £6 or £4 if you are an Official Supporter. That can be purchased here.

Social Media

Our media team will also have you covered with a running text commentary on X with the half time & full time score also being published on Facebook & Instagram. They will also have a pre-match interview with Paul Jones & a player followed by a post-match interview with Paul Jones. These can all be watched on YouTube, make sure to subscribe to the official FC Isle of Man channel to be notified on all new videos!