Football: Bass looking forward to national team return this weekend

Manx squad to face first home game since 2019 on Saturday

The Isle of Man men's national football team's manager says he's looking forward to seeing his side play in front of a home crowd for the first time in the best part of seven years.

The Manx squad will face Halewood Apollo in a friendly at The Bowl in Douglas this Saturday (2 May) at 5pm in what will be the Island team's first home fixture since 2019.

This weekend's encounter marks the start of the squad's 'Road to Gold' campaign over the next three years, leading up to the 2029 International Island Games on the Isle of Man.

Looking to Saturday's test and beyond, Chris Bass jnr. says they're hoping to restore pride and a following for the national side, which he describes as the highest level any local player can compete at:

This weekend's match will be the first time the Isle of Man men's side has been in action since claiming the bronze medal at last year's International Island Games in Orkney.

Earlier this month, Bass jnr. named a 36-man training squad as part of the 'Road to Gold' mission over the next three years with 20 chosen for this weekend's test against Halewood Apollo.

Further ahead, the Manx team is also due to take part in a 'triangular tournament' along with two other sides in July, also on Island.

You can view the squad for this weekend's match against Halewood Apollo below:

Isle of Man men's national football team squad vs Halewood Apollo (Saturday, 2 May, 2026 @ The Bowl, Douglas, 5pm KO)

Mark Blair
Tomas Brown
James Callow
Jamie Callister
Jason Charmer
Conor Clark
Beren Colley
Preston Cleator
Jacob Crook
Charlie Higgins
Ethan Hawley
Shaun Kelly
Adam Killey
Jimmy Lowther
Joao Marques
Dean Pinnington
Callum Sherry
Ben Sturgeon
Kyle Watson

You can also listen to the full, extended interview with Chris Bass jnr. via the Manx Radio SportsCast below: