'Island should make UEFA bid'

National manager petitioning for support

A local football manager says the sport would receive a significant boost in funding if the Manx FA applied for UEFA membership.

Ellan Vannin coach Chris Bass says small nations like Gibraltar and Kosovo have received major financial help from the European-body to develop local football and build better facilities. 

He's started a petition for Manx football teams and businesses to sign, to try and convince the FA here to approach UEFA.

Jersey is currently waiting for a decision to be made on its own application - the crown dependency was initially rejected the organisation for not being a 'recognised independent state'. 

Mr Bass says rather than delay any longer, the Manx FA needs to take action: