Football: IoM national side hoping to 'step up plans' in early 2025

Manager keen to get preparations underway for next Island Games

The manager of the Isle of Men men's national football team is hoping they'll be able to 'step up' plans at the turn of the year as they target success in 2025.

After seeing his team face FC Isle of Man in a recent charity match, Blane Slattery says he's keen to start preparations after the turn of the year ahead of the next Island Games in Orkney next summer.

A number of friendlies during the remainder of the domestic season are 'in the works.'

However, Mr Slattery adds he's wary of striking the right balance in the coming months between his objectives and the players' commitments to their local clubs:

The Isle of Man men's team endured a frustrating previous Island Games campaign at the last event in Guernsey in 2023.

They went on to finish ninth overall having entered the tournament as defending champions due to claiming gold the previous time football featured in the games in Gotland in 2017.

Going into the new year, the Manx side already knows who it'll face in the group stage at Orkney 2025.

They've been drawn in Group One with the hosts Orkney as well as Hitra and Frøya.

The games are due to be held from 12-18 July 2025.