Last weekend vs Irlam FC in a thrilling encounter at the Bowl, FC Isle of Man clinched a crucial victory, with Sean Doyle’s clinical tap-in just two minutes into the second half proving to be the decisive moment.
This week the Ravens will be looking to build on recent positive results and earn back to back wins for the first time since October. In the reverse fixture at Skelmersdale the Ravens were disappointed to loose the game 2-0 having been won four on the bounce going into that one.
Some of you may remember the Skelmersdale Manager from his playing days. Manager Pascal Chimbonda is a Former France World Cup defender being on the bench in the 2006 World Cup Final, when the famous Zidane head butt happened. We were lucky to be able to ask Pascal some questions ahead of the game and you will find them in the matchday programme the week.
Squad News
Once again there are a number of enforced changes to the squad that manager Paul Jones has named. Tiernan Garvey is unavailable this week and next, Eoghain Sherrard was forced off last week with a muscle strain and continues to recover from this. Ronan McDonnell who has appeared in the matchday squad over the last couple of weeks is getting some valuable minutes at his duel-registered club. Ravens will be pleased to see Alex Maitland & Furo Davies back from injury, Ste Whitley also makes a return to the squad.
- Jacob Crook
- Tom Creer
- Furo Davies
- Sean Doyle
- Danny Gerrard
- Charlie Higgins
- Phil Kelly
- Frank Jones
- Alex Maitland
- Jack McVey
- Dean Pinnington
- Callum Sherry
- Kyle Watson
- Michael Williams
- Ben Wilkinson
- Ste Whitley
The history of our opposition (Skelmersdale United FC)
Skelmersdale United Football Club has a very rich pedigree with an extensive list of honours since they were founded in 1882. The Club had its genesis in a team of players brought together by the teachers of the Skelmersdale Wesleyan Day School and it was called Skelmersdale Young Rovers, the name was changed to Skelmersdale Wesleyans, subsequently the minister expressed his disapproval of this and the team became Skelmersdale United.
The club returned to the Town in December 2019 after spending two years in exile at Prescot
Cables, having been evicted from their home of “Stormy Corner” by the landlords.
Having had a highly successful spell in recent seasons having won the Northern Premier League
North in 2012-13, also claiming the Lancashire Cup in 2009, The Liverpool Senior Cup in 2015
under the guidance of mercurial manager Tommy Lawson. However success could not be maintained and United with the eviction at Stormy Corner have found themselves back in the North West Counties as Manager Paul McNally looks to re build the club to former glories.
Despite the last two seasons being badly interrupted by the covid pandemic, Skelmersdale United made headline news as they battled through to the first round of the FA Cup in 2020-21, for the first time since 1971, the club were featured live on BT Sports, going down to Harrogate 4-1. They followed this success with runners-up spot in the North West Counties League in 2021-22.
Read more about the history of our opposition in the programme this week.
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:
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.
Golden Goal
To help raise money for the club we run a golden goal competition 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 and tickets can be purchased from the merchandise table.
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!
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!
