Festival of football to return to Isle of Man

FC Isle of Man compete in the North West Counties League Premier Division

FC Isle of Man is set to host a festival of football as part of its preparations for the 2025-26 season.

Altrincham FC, Radcliffe Borough and Fleetwood Town will visit the island for a series of matches from 18 to 20 July.

It marks the second event of its kind hosted at the Isle of Man's national stadium, The Bowl, in Douglas and this time includes teams from across the English football pyramid.

The Manx club is in its fourth season competing in the North West Counties Football League.

Festival organiser and Ravens vice-chairman Lee Dixon said the team was "very excited" to see the event, which attracted hundreds of visiting fans, grow in its second year.

He said he hoped those who travelled to the island would "use the opportunity to experience our stunning island as well all come together to support the teams we all love".

Fleetwood head coach Pete Wild said: "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."

The festival is set to be held at The Bowl in Douglas in July

National League club Altrincham's manager Phil Parkinson said being a festival it was "something different to what we would normally experience".

"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," he said.

National League North side Radcliffe's co-manager Anthony Johnson said playing games on "neutral ground" ahead of the season would be good for the players involved.