So finally, it’s almost here! After a two year period of engagement, planning, preparation, not a little worry and perhaps more recently just a little more euphoria, we are finally on the verge of playing our very first competitive North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) game.
Covid-19 has invoked a number of challenges for all of football during the last 18 months, and we have certainly been caught up in those challenges but with the patience of all involved, including our sponsors, community and media partners and of course our supporters we can finally start talking a little bit about what this club is all about …. Football.
As part of the build up this week to the big game we will be running a number of features in these pages as we look forward to our visit to Brantingham Road this coming Saturday to play Maine Road FC.
Indeed we hope to be interviewing our host’s manager Jeff Newman to get his thoughts on the start of a new season, while on Wednesday we’ll be introducing our playing squad to you all.
Later in the week we’ll have updates from this week’s training as we build up to Friday’s announcement of FC Isle of Man’s first ever match day squad and of course in between all of the above we’ll be positing various social media snippets and information.
However, as the excitement will no doubt build throughout the week there’s only one place to start our previews and that’s with the man whose vision, drive and determination have put FC Isle of Man in this historic position, Head of Football Performance and Operations, Paul Jones.
FC Isle of Man Media (FCIOM): Paul, despite the roller coaster that has been the last 18 months, you must be both proud and excited as we are just days away from our first ever league game?
Paul Jones (PJ): Yes. It’s taken us longer than expected to get to this point but it looks like we are nearly there, with our inaugural game in the North West Counties Football League this week. Everyone involved has invested lots of time, effort and emotion into the project and we will take a minute at some point on Saturday to recognise this milestone for the club. It’s thanks to them we are where we are and I know the players and coaches are very grateful to them for the opportunity that the club has provided.
FCIOM: What have been the main challenges that the club has had to overcome to be in this position?
PJ: They have been numerous and coming from all angles! When we started out on this project we had a clear idea of the key actions and milestones we needed to hit. None of us envisaged a global pandemic appearing just as we hit our last couple of milestones before playing. That changed everything for us, as indeed it has for everyone. However one thing I have noticed is most of these big challenges haven’t actually turned out to be as big as we first thought. Mainly because of the great people we have within our community, or who are connected to our community, going out of their way to listen, support and help us along the way. From our partnerships to our supporters (wherever they are located) it has been a combined effort to get to this point.
FCIOM: Apart from actually being able to finally get a team out on the pitch this week, what else are you looking forward to?
PJ: Just playing games now so I can take a breath. Those 90 mins of football where it’s over to the players to deliver has been something I have really looked forward to. Once the games begin and we get that week to week story unfolding then I am looking forward to seeing how the community gets behind what we are doing and I will switch focus onto how I can best support Chris and the players over the weeks and months ahead.
FCIOM: Do you have any expectations on the sporting side of the club for the upcoming season?
PJ: This project is about finding out just how far a small community can go when we all pull together to achieve a common aim. I expect the players to exemplify that. To do everything to the best of their ability as consistently as possible. If we can have that consistency we will know where we are in the grand scheme of things and we can plan how to move beyond that in the years ahead. Wherever we end up whether this season or in 10 years’ time will be a reflection on our community and how well we have done to work together both on and off the pitch. I believe that is our competitive advantage. I hope that people can leave their egos and pride to one side so that is how it ultimately plays out.
FCIOM: And finally, how do you think you’ll feel when FC Isle of Man take the field at Brantingham Road on Saturday.
PJ: I am not sure to be honest. Relieved, happy, nervously excited and emotional all at once I imagine. But mainly excited because I think our Island and its people are capable of amazing things when given an opportunity. I can’t wait to see where the players and the club go in the future but it will only go to a good place if we take things game by game. So on Saturday I will be present, enjoying the game, clearing the mind for 90 minutes and hopefully able to take it all in. That’s the plan but as you and I both know it’s not always how it pans out for me so if anyone sees me doing otherwise please tell me to chill the @&*# out!
