The inaugural FC Isle of Man Summer Festival of Football, brought to you by IOM Steam Packet Holidays, was a celebration of the beautiful game that exceeded all expectations. Held at The Bowl Stadium from Friday, July 19th to Sunday, July 21st, 2024, this festival was a testament to the passion and dedication of the local community as well as the travelling clubs and their fans.
Our Director of Football Operations, Lee Dixon, perfectly captured the spirit of the event: “It’s been fantastic to see all the clubs and their fans travel to the island and play some competitive football over the last few days. The atmosphere at The Bowl has been electric and brought out the best in our local community as we welcomed them with open arms. From a football perspective, Paul Jones, his staff, and the players have had two difficult but very productive games to prepare them for the upcoming season. The performance level of our players over all four of the pre-season friendlies has been outstanding and bodes well for the season ahead and our efforts to gain promotion.“
The festival kicked off on Friday evening with our very own Ravens taking on Vanarama National League North side Chester FC. Despite a 5-2 defeat, the match saw a high-quality football being played, with our goals coming from Charlie Higgins and Dean Pinnington. The performance highlighting the potential and determination that defines FC Isle of Man.
Saturday brought more excitement as Radcliffe FC and Lancaster City faced off in challenging weather conditions. Radcliffe, from the Vanarama National League North, emerged victorious with a 3-0 win over Lancaster City of The Pitching In Northern Premier League. The fans of both sides, undeterred by the elements, created a fantastic atmosphere.
Sunday’s matches began with Chester FC taking on Lancaster City. Chester continued their impressive form with a 4-1 victory, demonstrating the high standard of competition present throughout the festival. The grand finale on Sunday afternoon saw FC Isle of Man battle Radcliffe FC. Before kick-off players from both sides were introduced to His Excellency The Lieutenant Governor, Sir John Lorimer and Managing Director of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Brian Thomson.
In a thrilling match, Luke Murray and Charlie Higgins gave us an early 2-0 lead. Radcliffe fought back, levelling the score early in the second half and taking the lead by the 64th minute. However, substitute Adam Adebiyi’s late equaliser in the 84th minute ensured a dramatic and fitting end to the festival’s action-packed schedule.
This festival would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our sponsors. A huge thank you to Isle of Man Steam Packet Holidays for their invaluable sponsorship, as well as our match sponsors Hope and Glory, and match ball sponsors Premium Care. Your contributions were crucial to the success of this event.
The FC Isle of Man Summer Festival of Football was more than just a series of matches; it was a testament to our community’s love for the game and a showcase of the talent and spirit that defines our club. We are immensely proud of the way the local footballing community came together to support this event and the travelling fans. The festival has firmly established itself as a highlight in our football calendar, and we eagerly anticipate its return next year.
Thank you to all the fans, players, and partners who made this festival a memorable celebration of football. With your support, we look forward to building on this year’s success and continuing to bring high-level football to the Isle of Man.
