Huge attendance turn out as FC Isle of Man win their first ever home league game

A huge attendance turn out as FC Isle of Man win their first ever home league game, a 2-1 victory against Brocton on Saturday night.

The newly formed club are of course based in Douglas, Isle of Man and are currently members of the North West Counties League Division One South and play at The Bowl.

In August 2019, FC Isle of Man confirmed their intentions to enter a team into the English football league system at step six of non league, capturing many people’s attention.

On the 8th of October 2019, the club announced it had become affiliated with the Isle of Man Football Association, following the backing of clubs in the Manx football system.

On the 18th of February 2020, St Georges manager Chris Bass was announced as the club’s first manager and then days later, the North West Counties Football League confirmed FC Isle of Man had submitted an application to join the league in time for the 2020–21 season.

On the 21st of July 2020, it was announced that the club would participate in the North West Counties Football League First Division South, and due to the COVID–19 restrictions, the team withdrew from the 2020–21 FA Vase before their first qualifying round match.

On the 7th of December, the club was temporarily suspended from the league as it had become apparent that they would not be able to complete all their fixtures by the end of May 2021, as required by The Football Association.

FC Isle of Man played their first competitive match against Maine Road on the 31st of July 2021, with Frank Jones scoring the club’s first competitive goal. The match ended in a 1–1 draw.

It was confirmed ahead of the 2021/22 season that the club would be paying travelling teams’ expenses.

The Ravens came from behind to secure victory against Brocton in their first home game in the North West Counties Football League First Division South (10th tier of English football) on the 30th of October 2021.

Jack McVey, who scored a header in the 60th minute, said the support from the 2,012 home fans in attendance at The Bowl had been “unbelievable”.

The team are seventh in their division in their first season with the Ravens now winning eight games along with four draws and three defeats.

McVey said the team had “loved every minute” of the home game, but the “most important thing” was securing three more points after the home win followed a string of 14 away matches and two cup games, which saw the players travel off the island to compete.

Manager Chris Bass said the players had shown “great determination to get the right result in front of our own fans”.

He went on: “To come from behind and to give all these fans such an exciting game is more than we could have asked for.

“What a way to win our first game here at The Bowl.”

Paying tribute to the Brocton players, he said the team had given the Ravens a “challenge right from the off and their players can also be proud to have performed so well in front of such a partisan crowd”.

“It’s been an incredible experience, the whole week, not just today,” he added.

The game after that, they were away to St Martins, and went on to win 10-2, putting FCIOM fifth, and now have a home game against Stafford Town on Saturday, 6:30pm kick off.

Twitter users reacted as a huge attendance turn out whilst FC Isle of Man win their first ever home league game…

@Davidmcclay20: Well done FC Isle of Man great attendance and great addition to the league

@LeeOB1983: Big that 👏🏻

@brianring196: Better than @FGRFC_Official already #swa

@TonyVanceGSY: Congratulations guys! #welcomehome

@TonyFretwell: Climb up the leagues and @BlackpoolFC might have a new derby! Be a great away day!!! #utmp

@nonleaguevol: I’m going to have to pay a visit!!

@GillyClarke25: Ridiculous attendance for the level and great for the non league game in general

@danbrown130989: Definitely worth coming over for. Well done to everyone involved

⚽️ 👍 A fantastic turn out to support the RAVENS!

⚡️Always a good atmosphere under the lights!#UnleashTheRavens pic.twitter.com/a4GqFVetkS

— FC Isle of Man (@FCIsleOfMan) October 30, 2021

brilliant game happy to be a part of history🇮🇲 pic.twitter.com/9yqfJzOkSA

— Ellis (@ETDesigns_) October 30, 2021

Just wow. 😲 https://t.co/ufY4aLghpW

— FC Isle of Man (@FCIsleOfMan) November 2, 2021

Fantastic day on the Isle of Man helping them celebrate their first home game in @nwcfl. Highly recommend.@FCIsleOfMan @FutbologyApp @NL_Matters pic.twitter.com/wQuY449TWC

— Chris Roberts (@Chris1408mac) October 31, 2021

After a long wait, great to see @FCIsleOfMan play at home & get a win. Great atmosphere, let’s hope we see the fans back for future home games. Top job done by all associated with the club. Personal thanks to Justin at ELS. 🎤@NKConstruction@nwcfl @broctonfc ⚽@seansshots 📷 pic.twitter.com/HyNuZTKHoc

— We Go Again (@LFC771) October 31, 2021

That is a fantastic photo Sean!

Have fun playing the spot the ball 😀 https://t.co/SF5dTHA7OD

— FC Isle of Man (@FCIsleOfMan) October 31, 2021

Second game of the day is at the King George V Bowl in Douglas and a little piece of football history as @FCIsleOfMan take on @BroctonFC in their first ever home game in the English pyramid #Groundhopping @nwcfl 🇮🇲 pic.twitter.com/3ton6xsSla

— christopher (@christopher7590) October 30, 2021