The Isle of Man is probably better known for its motorsport than football but the island has a great appetite for the beautiful game.
Their side compete in most island games against the likes of Guernsey, Jersey, Greenland, Gibraltar and the Falklands amongst many others and usually does pretty well.
They have lost in the final three times, in 1993, 1999 and 2003, and only went out at the group stages of the 2011 tournament, their latest, to a strong Guernsey side. Their team, as far as I believe, is open to all players from the amateur Isle of Man Football League and they also compete in the FA Inter League Cup.
This sees them play Step 7 leagues throughout England with the eventual winner representing England in the UEFA Regions Cup. They are in this year’s final where they will play the Hertfordshire Senior County League.
The shirt itself is made by Umbro and is a simple yet nice design. I am also a big fan of the IoM FA badge which is stitched onto the shirt.
International football is flourishing on the island with the creation of the new Ellan Vannin side by the Manx Independent FA. They will only allow players who were born on the Isle of Man or who qualify through their ancestry to play. They are taking part in the upcoming ConIFA World Football Cup and I hope to pick up a shirt of theirs soon.
No FIFA? No Problem! 