You Seen This, Keith?

[marky No.1]

Great away day

https://fanbanter.co.uk/fc-isle-of-man- ... xt-season/

[black morse]

'It have recently been announced.!!!!!!!!

[Keith]

Going to be interesting to see how they get on. One of the rugby clubs joined an English league a few seasons ago and it has gone well.

[Andy D]

Potentially i can see the Isle of Man being like a Mini "Monaco" players attracted to sign for them for a life style beautiful island etc, BUT! more importantly an Isle of Man Bank account and Tax Fee Wages?

[Keith]

Potentially i can see the Isle of Man being like a Mini "Monaco" players attracted to sign for them for a life style beautiful island etc, BUT! more importantly an Isle of Man Bank account and Tax Fee Wages?

That would be nice! But for 'normal' earners, the tax isn't a huge amount less than in the UK now. It is less, but not enough to attract players. They will remain amateur or semi-pro. I suspect the IoM players will be paying to play, not the other way around.

A few years ago they had a pre-season football tournament here. It would have Burnley, Blackburn and a few other sides. I spoke to PMG about Morecambe going over if invited. We were in the Conference at the time. He was interested so I passed on details. The club applied and were knocked back, being told that they were trying to attract "a better quality of teams". That season they invited Rushden & Diamonds! If Peter was annoyed it was nothing on me! I went to the Minister for Tourism and asked him what the point of the tournament was? Was it to attract visitors to the island? How many visitors came from Irthlingborough and how many would have come from Morecambe? He wasn't pleased either! He 'had words' with the department head and then got back to me, saying that we would be invited the following season. Peter said the IoM could invite us but we wouldn't be going after the initial snub. The tournament folded a couple of seasons later. A top team player received a red card in the tournament, leading to a three match suspension from the actual League season. The IoM tried to negotiate an exemption from FA bans but the FA wouldn't give it so the teams said they wouldn't risk players in future.

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company used to sponsor a board at Christie Park. Now they are owned by the government, it may be worth trying to get sponsorship again, as I'm sure the north west of England is where they are trying to attract visitors.

[marky No.1]

Aye, I remember there being discussions about us playing in the Isle of Man, sadly any mini tournaments in pre season seem to be long gone now

[redrobo]

The Steam Packet Company already provide assistance when the club undertake coaching sessions in the IoM.

[Keith]

The Steam Packet Company already provide assistance when the club undertake coaching sessions in the IoM.

Good point. A bit more support and get them an advertising hoarding too!