Douglas Royal F.C.

Douglas Royal F.C.
Full name Douglas Royal Football Club
Founded 1981
Ground Nobles Park
Douglas, Isle of Man
Capacity not known
League Isle of Man Football League Division Two
2012–13 Division Two, 5th

Douglas Royal F.C. are a football club from Douglas on the Isle of Man. They compete in the Isle of Man Football League and wear a white and navy kit. They play their home games at the Ballafletcher Sports Fields in Douglas at the site of the new Nobles Hospital.

History

Formed in 1981, as Pot Black F.C. The original club was formed by a group of snooker playing football enthusiasts, led by Pot Black Snooker Centre proprietor, Peter Locke, who used to arrange friendly matches against business teams, such as KPMG and the IOM Police. After a series of friendly matches the players asked Mr Locke to try and gain entry to the Manx FA. The application was placed and was successful and the team, named Pot Black, entered the 2nd division in 1982. When the snooker club was sold, Mr Locke asked the new owners for sponsorship. When none was forthcoming, the club held a meeting in the Theatre Royal Hotel, Wellington Street, Douglas, and voted to change the name of the club to Douglas Royal. In 1986 the club was in some financial difficulties and looked like it may have to fold. Luckily a group of like minded young men were looking for a new club and made the offer to help. Fresh sponsorship was available and the club added the number "87" to its name to celebrate the new start. The original colours were red shirts, with black shorts & socks but the new committee voted to change to the colours worn today. Since those early days, they have won the Hospital Cup once in 2004–05 when they beat St Georges 3–2 in the final.[1] Their first season in the First Division was 1989–90 when they finished sixth.[2] They were relegated to Division Two in the 2002–03 season,[3] but were promoted back to the top flight the next season as Division Two champions.[4] They were again relegated in the 2007–08 season and currently play in Division Two[5]

They have a reserve team that play in the Isle of Man Football Combination as well as junior and ladies teams.

Their main rivals are considered to be Gymnasium.

Current squad

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

No. Position Player
1 England GK Aaron Quen
30 England GK Adam Boyde
2 Albania DF Endrit Karameto
3 England DF Jim Garret
5 England DF Adam Pate
6 England MF Dan Beattie
7 England FW Davin Gayne
8 England DF Jack Willie
9 England MF Mark Walker
10 England MF Ian Took (captain)
11 England MF Ryan Kelly
13 England DF Stuart Foley
14 England FW Cristian Clemen
18 England MF David MCcean
21 England MF Simmy Duoil
27 England FW Peter Bookland
19 England FW Richard Win
20 England MF Richy Rchy

Honours

Cup

References

  1. ↑ "Isle of Man List of Cup Winners". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 2008-06-08. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  2. ↑ "Isle of Man 1897/98 and 1970/71-1994/95". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 2007-05-29. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  3. ↑ "Isle of Man 2002/03". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 2003-09-11. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  4. ↑ "Isle of Man 2003/04". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 2005-01-15. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  5. ↑ "Isle of Man 2007/08". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 2008-08-22. Retrieved 2008-09-10.

External links