The appointment of former Tranmere and Nottingham Forest full-back Alan Rogers as Ellan Vannin coach is just the start of an ambitious project that could eventually see a Manx side playing in an off-island league.
That’s the belief of Dave Crennell, the man who was instrumental in the appointment of the new management team of the England under-21 cap and assistant Tony Sheridan for next month’s Europeada tournament.
Speaking to the Manx Independent after the week’s earlier announcement that Rogers and former Irish under-21 international Sheridan would take over the reigns from St George’s duo Chris Bass Sr and Lee Dixon, Crennell said: ‘We’ve already approached a Football Association about the possibility of an Ellan Vannin FC joining one of their leagues.
‘As things are currently at a legal stage, I can’t say which Association at the moment.’
‘I’m hoping that will be signed off in a matter of months, but we’ve got to be realistic things are going to take time - we’ll have to satisfy a lot of obligations.’
‘We’re going to have to fund not only our own travel costs but also that of the other teams travelling to and from the island.
‘We are therefore looking to strike up several partnerships with local businesses to help with this.’
‘This is the start of a long-term plan - we want people to come on a journey with us.’
Crennell, whose Manx parents moved from the island to Dublin before he was born, is a coach and scout based in Cork. He helped secure former St George’s defender Shay Sharkey a move to League of Ireland First Division side Limerick earlier in the year.
Crennell will also take up the role of Director of Football of the Manx International Football Alliance’s side for the Euro competition which takes place between June 18-26 in Northern Italy.
He added: ‘I’ve been talking to Malcolm Blackburn [MIFA chief executive ] for over a year. I’ve a broad network base and I’ve been trying to use this to help the game in the island.
‘We’ve got to bring a structure together. Obviously initially we won’t have a youth structure, but the the long-term aim has to be produce our own players that can step up to the standard we will be playing at.’
In the short term Crennell has said the side might have to bring in a couple of players to help to settle the predominantly Manx squad adjust to its new surroundings: ‘I’d like to think 99 per cent of the squad will be Manx, but we may need to a get in a few players to help with the transition to the higher standard of football.’
Crennell acknowledged EVFC’s creation could see players move away from their current local clubs: ‘They’re going to have to be registered to EVFC - it would be hard for them to train and play for another club, especially when you add work and family commitments.
‘However, we’re not going to close the door to anyone. If all goes to plan Alan and Tony will be available to offer guidance, assistance and coaching to all island clubs if asked.
‘This is part of the EVFC’s aim of progressing and developing football in the island.’
Reflecting on the appointments of Rogers and Sheridan added: ‘When it became clear that Chris and Lee couldn’t make the tournament in the summer, Malcolm asked me if I could recommend replacements.’
‘I’d spoken to Alan about the possibility of an Ellan Vannin FC project in the past and when this opportunity arose he and Tony jumped at the chance to get involved at this stage.’
Talking about Rogers, who played more than 300 games in the football league during a 17-year career, and League of Ireland stalwart Sheridan he added: ‘I don’t think we could have got two better guys. Alan has worked with some great managers in his time and the pair are already passionate about the Manx game and can’t wait to get stuck in.’
The duo and Crennell will be in the island at the end of the month to hold a training weekend with the squad ahead of jetting out to Italy.
The trio are also looking at the possibility of an off-island friendly as Rogers fine tunes his plans ahead of Europeada’s group stages. This has paired Ellan Vannin with hosts South Tyrol, North Frisians and the Germans in Poland. The island’s four-team group will be based in the town of Olang.