An electronic petition has been set up in an attempt to persuade the Isle of Man Football Association to apply to join UEFA.

The petition, which was launched on the website avaaz.org earlier this week, will be delivered to both the FA and the Isle of Man Government once it reaches 1,000 signatures.

At the time of writing on Wednesday afternoon it had 150 signatories.

The petition has been drawn up by a group of the island’s aspiring footballers and promoted by the Campaign 55 IoM group which has long lobbied for the IoMFA to join Europe’s governing body.

The text with the petition reads: ’Thank you for taking the time to read this petition.

’As a group of 17 and 18 year olds we don’t want future generations of football players to miss out on the massive opportunities that are available if the governing body of your Football Association is a member of UEFA then FIFA.

’With the support and help of Campaign55 we have launched an online petition.

’We have sat back in the Isle of Man and waited and watched as smaller countries than us join putting them on the international map and developing their football beyond recognition from where they were originally and with real economic benefits for their country.

’We also are proud to call ourselves Manx and it does nothing for us to be considered in football terms a county association of the English FA.

’If you believe like us that something needs to be done now and the IoMFA should immediately apply to join UEFA for the benefit of future generations and our island, please sign and share this petition which will be submitted to both the IoMFA and the IoM Government.

’Thank you for trying to make change happen for your kids and their kids.’

The Isle of Man FA council, which is made up of representatives from each of the island’s 24 clubs, voted against looking into a potential Uefa bid earlier this year.

Since then the FA has said it would wait and see how the Jersey FA’s current bid fared before making any further comment or decision on whether to launch its own bid.

Jersey’s application will go before the next UEFA congress in late February 2018.

The petition can be signed at https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/Isle_of_Man_Football_Association_Isle_of_Man_Government_IOMFA_Apply_to_join_UEFA_NOW/?chNuymb