FC Isle of Man say they are “delighted” to announce the launch of a women’s side, with a view to participating in a competitive league from the 2027/28 season.
The club has said it aims to arrange six friendly fixtures as the team develops, with Donna Harrison set to take charge as Team Manager. Sarah Wignall and Bex Corkish will support Harrison, while Luke Stewart and Ruairi Mooney come on board in coaching roles.
Speaking about the launch, FC Isle of Man Chairman David Pope said: “This is something we have wanted to achieve for some time, and I am absolutely delighted that we are now in a position to get it moving.
“Jersey and Guernsey are continually developing their sporting opportunities, and there is no reason why the Isle of Man should not have similar ambitions. We want to provide a pathway that encourages our young players to remain on the Island, while giving them opportunities to experience football beyond our shores.”
He added: “This is about adding to what we already have, creating opportunities and strengthening Manx football for the future.
“Our ambition is simple: to give Manx players every opportunity to progress without having to leave the island.”
An open training and trial session has been scheduled for November 10, running from 8pm to 9:30pm, with further sessions set to take place every Tuesday thereafter.
Far-off Ambitions, Local Worries
In their statement, the club has made clear that their intention is to complement the opportunities afforded to female footballers on the island, as oppose to replace them.
Not everyone is quite convinced however, with Corinthians Women’s manager Dom Dawson expressing concern over the proposal’s impact on already dwindling participation in on-island fixtures.
“Clubs are already struggling for numbers, and taking those players out could mean even fewer teams, I’d genuinely worry whether 11-a-side football would still be viable?” he said, in a statement made before the FC IOM women’s side was confirmed.
“It’s a double-edged sword for me because I want both of my daughters to be playing at the highest level, and exposure is obviously good for all involved, but the local game is going to be gone!”
He went on to speculate: “It could be a fantastic opportunity, but there needs to be a clear plan for protecting and growing the local game alongside it.
“We need opportunities for the girls pushing to play at a higher level, while making sure those who want to play locally still have a league to play in.”
Pope is keen to reassure, however, saying: “As always, our aim is not to detract from or adversely affect the local game, but to enhance it.
“We want to work alongside existing clubs and build on the excellent work already being done to develop women’s and girls’ football across the Island.”
Solid Foundations
The men’s side have enjoyed a strong start to their North West Counties Football League Premier Division campaign, with five wins from their opening 12 league fixtures enough to propel the Ravens to 10th in the table, just four points outside he playoff berths.
Additionally, two wins from two in the Macron Challenge Cup will see the side advance to the third round of the knockout competition.
But Pope appears to take a more holistic view, stating: “FC Isle of Man has always been about more than just the results of our men’s first team.
“We want to create opportunities, bring people together, and build a club that the whole Island can feel part of.”
Ravens Ripe for Investment
The club is also inviting local businesses to become involved as sponsors and commercial partners, helping to support the development of the women’s team.
“We would love to hear from island businesses who want to help us make this a success,” said Pope.
“Supporting women’s football is a wonderful opportunity to make a genuine difference, and we want to build partnerships that will help the team grow over the coming years.”
He concluded: “We are not pretending that everything will happen overnight. We want to build this properly, give the women the support they deserve and create something sustainable that the Island can be proud of.”