The dawn of the new Manx football season on Saturday signals the return of the island’s ‘favourite hypothetical XI’ - Team of the Week.
Throughout the season, Eric Clague and his hardy band of football-minded cohorts will pace the touchline at many of the island’s pitches, attempting to use their wisdom to rate players from each and every team that makes up the Canada Life Premier League.
During the campaign, there will be 10 Player of the Month and 10 Young Player of the Month awards up for grabs for the island’s in-form players - each sponsored by Canada Life who will present a trophy and champagne to the winners - before a Team of the Year will be selected in May.
Also in the spotlight are Manx football’s men in black - the referees - who will also have monthly awards to contest as well as the overall Referee of the Year accolade.
The first TotW of the 2013-14 season welcomes a few new faces into the fold, beginning with new Rushen United goalkeeper Jay Gandy who impressed in between the sticks for the Spaniards during their 6-3 victory over DHSOB.
Also starring in that contest at Croit Lowey was Gandy’s new team-mate, Adam Cregeen, who was in fine form at centre-back.
Joining him in a three-man defence are two further TotW newcomers - St John’s full-back Ste Martin and RYCOB’s Graham Kennish after they both excelled during their sides’ clash at Mullen-e-Cloie which the Saints won 2-1.
Ramsey got their campaign off to a fine start with a thumping 6-2 victory over newly-promoted Michael United and two of their players make up half of the TotW midfield.
Chris Duggan starred on his debut with two goals and was joined on the scoresheet by Kris Halsall.
The northern duo line up alongside Daniel Bell and Danny Gerrard who went head-to-head at the Bowl. Bell produced a man-of-the-match performance and scored on his way to helping Peel secure an impressive 3-2 victory, while Gerrard stood out in the heart of the Saints midfield.
Leading the attack are three players who scored no fewer than seven goals between them on Saturday.
Danny Oram stole the headlines as he netted a hat-trick on his debut for Rushen in their aforementioned 6-3 victory over Old Boys, while Ashley Webster and Mark Wolfended both helped themselves to braces as Laxey brushed aside Corinthians 6-2 at Ballafletcher.
Claiming the first refereeing honours of the new season is Neshko Marinov who impressed in the middle of the latter game.
Team of the Week
Goalkeeper
Jay Gandy (Rushen Utd)
Defence
Ste Martin (St John’s Utd)
Adam Cregeen (Rushen Utd)
Graham Kennish (RYCOB)
Midfield
Kris Halsall (Ramsey)
Daniel Bell (Peel)
Danny Gerrard (St Mary’s)
Chris Duggan (Ramsey)
Attack
Danny Oram (Rushen Utd)
Ashley Webster (Laxey)
Mark Wolfenden (Laxey
Referee
Neshko Marinov (Corinthians v Laxey)