Football festival teams 'blown away by welcome'

FC Isle of Man lost 3-1 to Altrincham FC in the third place play off on Sunday

Fans and teams who travelled to the Isle of Man for a summer festival of football were "blown away" by the welcome they received, organisers have said.

The event saw four clubs from across the English football pyramid, including hosts FC Isle of Man, face off at the island's national stadium, The Bowl, in Douglas.

League Two side Fleetwood Town won the trophy after a penalty shootout victory over Radcliffe Borough, while the home side finished fourth after losing 3-1 to Altrincham FC in the third place play off.

In its second year, Lee Dixon from FC Isle of Man said more than 2,000 spectators watched the four "incredibly competitive" matches played across the weekend.

More than 2,000 spectators watched the action at The Bowl across the four matches

The island team has just completed its fourth season competing in the North West Counties Football League, finishing 11th in the Premier Division.

Fleetwood play in League Two of the English Football League, Radcliffe feature in the National League North, while Altrincham are part of the National League, the fifth tier of English football.

The revamped contest for 2025 provided a rest day on Saturday and a results table once the matches had been played.

The Manx side were level with Fleetwood 2-2, before a goal at 86 minutes clinched victory for the visitors on Friday

Fleetwood Town manager Pete Wild said the FC Isle of Man players "ran and worked as hard as they could for each other" and "defended for their lives" in the clash between the sides on Friday, which saw the visitors win with a late goal.

The Manx team have "real good players. I think they've got that hunger and desire that I think any team needs", he said.

Meanwhile, Radcliffe co-manager Anthony Johnson said the teams taking part in the event had been "really brilliant".

"From a football perspective, from a professionalism point of view, but also from the on the pitch stuff... it's been an unbelievable weekend", he said.

The festival brought together Fleetwood Town, Altrincham FC and Radcliffe Borough and FC Isle of Man

Dixon said the feedback on accommodation, food, transport and local events such as the Douglas Beach Day - which people could visit on Saturday's rest day - had meant "the island had an amazing impact on the people that visited, who made some brilliant memories".

Visiting players, coaches and supporters had also praised the turnout in the stands, the volunteers and the organisation of the friendly tournament.

"It bodes well going forward and for next year's tournament in terms of the confidence that we can have in ourselves, but also the confidence that teams will have in us have been able to deliver such a brilliant weekend in future," he added.