Foxdale A.F.C.

Foxdale A.F.C.

Full name	Foxdale A.F.C.
Nickname(s)	The Miners
Founded	1991
Ground	Billy Goat Park
League	Isle of Man Football League Division Two
2011–12	Division Two, 4th
Home colours Away colours

Foxdale A.F.C. is a football club based in Foxdale on the Isle of Man. They compete in the second tier of the Isle of Man Football League.

History

Foxdale AFC have won one cup competition, the Paul Henry Gold Cup, which they won in the 1993–94 season after beating Marown A.F.C. 7–2.^[1] That same season they were promoted to the First Division as Division Two champions^[2] but were relegated in the 1995–96 season.^[3]

Foxdale narrowly missed out on the Woods Cup in 2000–01 after being beaten 3–0 by Ayre United A.F.C. in the final of the competition.

In 2009–10, Foxdale entered the Kirby Estates Cowell Cup for the first time. They were placed in Group 4 alongside Castletown, Colby and DHSOB. They narrowly missed out on progression to the next round. Foxdale started their inaugural game well, beating DHSOB 5–0 at Blackberry Lane. However, the next game at home was less convincing, losing 4–1. They finished on a high however, beating Colby 4–2 away, but never progressed to the next round with Castletown pipping them to the post.

Foxdale AFC held their 20th anniversary on the 5 August 2011 at the Palace Hotel. There was a dinner and a charity auction with 50% of the profit going to Wish Upon A Dream and 50% going to the football club itself. Guest speakers included: Richard Keys, Ronnie Irani and comedian Lester Crabtree. Former Scotland, Wolves and Everton F.C. striker Andy Gray was also due to attend but has had to withdraw because of a family commitment.^[4]

League positions

• 2007–08 – Div 2 – 12th
• 2008–09 – Div 2 – 11th
• 2009–10 – Div 2 – 7th
• 2010–11 – Div 2 – 11th
• 2011–12 – Div 2 – 4th

Colours and badge

Foxdale players wear a royal blue and maroon striped home kit (sponsored by 'The Baltic') and a white away kit (sponsored by 'Bailey's Pizza').

Foxdale's motto "Moyrn Y Valley Veg" is displayed in Manx underneath the emblem of the famous Foxdale Clock Tower and can be translated into "Pride In The Village" in English.

Ground

Foxdale play their home games at Billy Goat Park, Stoney Mountain Road in Foxdale.

In 2004, Momentum Pictures used Billy Goat Park in some of the filming of Things to Do Before You're 30. The film was released in the UK on 2 June 2006.

In 2011, after receiving funds from the IOMFA, Foxdale built new changing facilities designed by Mark Kinley who was also a Foxdale goalkeeper at the time. The facilities' water supply was heated by solar panels found on the roof of the clubhouse. As well as new changing rooms, the club also bought new goalposts and corner flags with the funds. Two sets of goals were purchased, one full-sized set on wheels and one small training set. Money went towards the attempts to set up drainage around the pitch, although this was to no avail as the boggy conditions still return after wet conditions. The volunteer work of various sponsors helped ensure that the costs were cut to a minimum with advantage of Billy Goat Park being situated directly beside DCS Limited so machinery could be used at will. As well as the above, the money went towards a new lawnmower for the club's groundsman, Paul Lemaire, and two brick huts to the right of the pitch which are yet to be completed.

Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player Stephen Bettridge Daniel Buttimore Tom Callister Liam Cannan Michael Cawte Andrew Chadwick Andrew Cover Craig Gelling Charlie Harrison Bill Hesketh John Kelly Jamie Kean Oliver Kean Scott Kermeen Dominic Langstaff Liam Leece

No. Position Player Craig Lemaire Gavin McLaughlin Stuart Morrison Stuart Naisbitt Ricky Newsham Steven Quirk Graeme Sears Jack Smith Chris Thomas Matthew Venables Richie Wheeler Willie Woods Abdullah Yavuz

Staff

• First Team Manager – Alan Lemaire
• Combination Team Manager – Terry Harrison
• Groundsman – Paul Lemaire

Honours

League

• Division Two
  • Champions 1993–94

Cup

• Paul Henry Gold Cup
  • Winners 1993–94

References