Paul Jones to remain at FC Isle of Man next season

'The Ravens' have endured poor run of results so far in 2025

FC Isle of Man Manager Paul Jones will remain in charge of the team next season.

Confirming the news, the club says the decision follows talks with Jones and the board as well as first-team players who the club says 'have indicated a unanimous vote of confidence in his leadership.'

After promising start to the 24/25 campaign, Jones and 'The Ravens' have endured a poor recent run which has seen them win only twice this calendar year, recorded no victories in ten matches and slipped down to 15th in the table.

Club chairman Gill Christian says whilst she and the board share the team's disappointment at recent results, they believe in 'the importance of stability for the club's future.'

With one match in their season remaining, FC Isle of Man have accrued 61 points from 45 games in the league this season - that's 11 points worse off than their total after 46 fixtures in 23/24.

In their first venture in the NWCFL Premier Division in 22/23, they finished 13th on 52 points.

More recently, FC Isle of Man's run of three draws and three defeats in the last six games is among the worst in the division and they're one of only three teams not to win in that period.

Mrs Christian adds: "We met with Paul this week and had a really helpful discussion. We obviously shared our disappointment with him in terms of the league position, and he is also disappointed, but we’ve talked about his plans for the future, and we’re confident that he can turn that around.

"It's no normal club, with the travel and the commitment on the players and the fact that we're in a limited pool of players as well. So I think we've got to be patient with the manager and the players to help them get it right."

Meanwhile, FC Isle of Man Vice-Chairman Lee Dixon says: "I spoke to a lot of the players to get feedback from them, and it was unanimous from the players’ side that they want Paul in charge.

"At Christmas, we were right where we wanted to be—in the play offs—and everything was heading in the right direction. For many reasons outside of everybody’s control—lack of availability, injuries, the amount of travel—we just feel like we’re not a million miles away."

"Obviously, that has to be a factor in driving our decision, because ultimately, they're the ones who go in the changing room, they’re the ones who train and travel with the team.

"I think the outcome of the open and frank discussions we’ve had is that Paul recognises that maybe we have to tweak our style of play.

“I think there’s a natural progression with that, with things that are coming up in the summer and players that will be available next year and players that won’t be. So hopefully, going forward, we’ll see a little bit more of a dynamic style of play, albeit with some of the stability that Paul’s brought to the table since he’s been running the team with his coaching staff."

FC Isle of Man's final game of the current campaign takes place at The Bowl in Douglas this Saturday, 18 April, against West Didsbury & Chorlton, kicking-off at 6pm.

Manx Radio will be providing full live match commentary on our DAB and AM1368 channels.

You can view FC Isle of Man's full interview with Mrs Christian and Mr Dixon below: