The 2021-2022 Manx football season kicks into action with the Eric Fletcher Charity Shield this Friday evening.
The traditional curtain-raiser sees last season’s runaway Canada Life Premier League champions Corinthians take on runners-up Rushen United at the Bowl, kicking off at 7pm.
Predicting an outcome is nigh on impossible at the time of going to press as the top teams will potentially all look significantly different on an ongoing basis this season as a result of player involvement in FC Isle of Man.
With the Ravens away at West Didsbury & Chorlton and Abbey Hey this weekend, several members of both Corinthians and Rushen squads are likely to be unavailable for the Charity Shield.
The normal league season then fires into life eight days later on Saturday, September 4 with a full programme of 2.30pm fixtures in the Premier League, Division Two plus the combination leagues.
The fixtures computer has thrown together a tasty-looking Old Firm clash on the opening day in the top flight between Peel and Rushen at Douglas Road, while there’s also a northern derby on the cards as RYCOB host near-neighbours Ramsey.
Elsewhere in the top flight, DHSOB welcome Marown to Blackberry Lane, Laxey travel to newly-promoted Union Mills and Ayre United are the visitors to champions Corinthians.
The one exception to the 2.30pm kick-offs is at the Bowl where St Mary’s host Douglas Royal which starts half an hour earlier at 2pm.
In the second division, there’s a southern derby at Clagh Vane where Malew entertain Colby, while Pulrose United and Gymns go head-to-head at Springfield Road.
Castletown head up the Ballamodha to visit St John’s at Mullen-e-Cloie, while Michael United will be in the capital to play Douglas and District.
Relegated Douglas Athletic make the short journey to face Onchan and Governor’s Athletic head west to Billy Goat Park to play Foxdale.
Saturday, September 4:
Canada Life Premier League (2.30pm)
DHSOB v Marown.
St Mary’s v Douglas Royal (2pm)
Peel v Rushen
RYCOB v Ramsey
Union Mills v Laxey
Corinthians v Ayre Utd
Division Two
St John’s v Castletown
Douglas and District v Michael Utd
Onchan v Douglas Athletic
Foxdale v Governor’s Athletic
Pulrose Utd v Gymns
Malew v Colby