FC Isle of Man is delighted to announce the return of our Summer Festival of Football, to be held on the island this July.
As part of our preparations for the 2025/26 season in the North West Counties Football League, we will welcome three great teams to the Bowl for a weekend of fantastic football.
This year we will welcome National League club Altrincham FC, Radcliffe from the National League North and League Two side Fleetwood Town.
Offering all sides the chance to test themselves against some high level opposition, the festival will also allow fans a unique chance to interact with each other and their clubs.
Altrincham
Playing in the National League, Altrincham has a special bond with the Isle of Man through its co-chairman, island resident Lawrence Looney. The two sides also met in a pre-season game in 2022 which the visitors won 1-5.
We spoke to manager Phil Parkinson, who this week became the club’s longest serving manager in a single spell, about that previous visit which he described as a “really good experience, treated extremely well, and got some competitive games in against the Ravens”.
Phil added: “With it being a football festival, something different to what we would normally experience, where you just have pre-season games, I think it adds a little bit of flavour to it gives the fans something to look forward to and make a weekend of as well.”
Radcliffe
Radcliffe last visited the island as part of last year’s festival, playing out a highly entertaining 3-3 draw against the Ravens.
Co-manager Anthony Johnson said that their previous visit had not been like anything he’d experience before in his long career in football but proved to be a great time away for the team to gel together and train while playing competitive football.
Club captain Jordan Hulme said the trip, as well as offering a chance for some pre-season minutes, had also been a great bonding trip for the team as they got out to see some of the island and met with their fans for a great evening out in Douglas.
Anthony added: “This was not something I’ve ever experienced before. So from an organisational point of view, to manage that many people, hundreds of supporters, that came over with the teams, it was a massive credit to FC Isle of Man. I absolutely implore everyone to jump on the package.”
Fleetwood Town
A town with historic links to the Isle of Man through our travel partners the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Fleetwood play in the EFL League Two and have a passionate fan base who follow their team up and down the country.
We spoke to head coach Pete Wild who said he had received “excellent feedback” from his staff who visited the island to see the Bowl, several grounds around the island and training facilities.
He said: “We had a couple of options of what to do this summer and when the guys came back and discussed with me the facilities the plan for the weekend, it seemed like an excellent idea.
“The facilities will be there for us to train, which will be fantastic and certainly mixing into that is the team bonding element and being away together.”
FC Isle of Man
FC Isle of Man, a community owned team, competes in the North West Counties League Premier Division, the 9th tier of English football (Step 5). The club played its first competitive game in 2021, a season which saw promotion and a cup win. The side plays home games at The Bowl in Douglas and the entire squad and coaching team is made up of unpaid volunteers.
Vice-chairman Lee Dixon, who leads the organisation of the Festival, said: “After the success of last year when we saw hundreds of visiting fans, we are all very excited to see it grow this year.
“We hope the fans of Altrincham, Radcliffe and Fleetwood Town take advantage of the amazing packages available and not only get to see some amazing football, but use the opportunity to experience our stunning island as well all come together to support the teams we all love.
“I also have to thanks all of our amazing volunteers and supporters, without who this wouldn’t be possible.”
Fixtures
The festival will get underway on Friday July 18 at 3pm with Altrincham v Radcliffe before FC Isle of Man v Fleetwood Town at 7pm.
Saturday will be a rest day allowing clubs time to train and the players and their fans time to explore our amazing island.
Sunday will see the beaten sides from Friday play each other in a 3rd v 4th play playoff at 11am before the final between the two winning sides at 3pm.
Fans
Packages for visiting fans are now available offering seamless travel arrangements including ferry crossings, accommodation, and match tickets.
Our own amazing fans are now also able to book tickets here.
