Back Row Left To Right: B Murney (GMWFL), S Atherfold (Injured & 70s Manager), M Caglayan, G Walton, S Hyde, P Killey, A Wootton,
C Myers, L Shedwick, P Hampson, I Thomasson, N Carter (Injured & 60s Manager).
Front Row Left To Right: P Ball, C Kershaw (65s Manager), V Dugdale, L Berry, S Skade, D Grayson, S White, C Walmsley, N Banks.
This was the fifth GMWFL representative teams trip to the Isle of Man. We visited in November 2022, February & November 2024, June 2025 and on this occasion May 2026. Three of the five visits have proved eventful unfortunately, with Ian Thomasson’s cardiac arrest on the 2022 visit, the cancelled return flight home last year and Garry Pearce’s return home early due to a lightening strike at his home this year.
On the Friday evening we met in O’Donnell’s Irish Bar for a couple of beverages, followed by an excellent meal as usual in the Fig & Olive restaurant.
We visited Port Erin and Bradda Head on the Saturday morning, most climbing the Milner’s Tower monument on the head, then snacks in Port Erin before the football.
We had a good start on the Saturday, playing six games, winning five and drawing one. With Garry’s unavailability to referee, four of our lads stepped in to help with the officiating and all did a fine job. Thanks to Steve Hyde, Clint Walmsley, Lee Shedwick and Graham Walton.
With a number of regulars unavailable, we had six new additions to the 60s, 65s and 70s squads. For the 60s we had Mehmet Caglayan, Lee Shedwick (Shedders) and Steve Skade. The 65s had Nigel Banks and Dave Grayson. The 70s had Stewart White, all made a great contribution.
The Saturday evening meal was at Jak’s Smokehouse, where a good number of the IOM players joined us
Honours were even on the Sunday, with both the IOM and GMWFL squads winning two and drawing one. For some reason we never seem to maintain the winning standard on Sundays in our visits, perhaps it’s down to tiredness, who knows because it certainly isn’t over indulgence in alcohol, as we all age gracefully. After the football we travelled to the airport in time for the evening flight home, which thankfully was on time.
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