FC Isle of Man is to forge ahead with its plans to join the English non-league system in spite of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The club’s sporting director, Paul Jones, said that after consultation with its committee and supporters, it was ’cracking on’ and that he hoped the project would give the Manx community something to look forward to.

A blog post on the club’s official website from Jones said: ’We have spoken as a group at length, we have consulted with those who are part of our Facebook group and we have come to the following conclusion.

’Our project, to have a football club from the Isle of Man playing in the English National League System, has always been with our community at the forefront of our mind. It has been about doing our bit for this island, using football to create wide-ranging benefits on and beyond the field of play.

’So, we are cracking on. We are continuing to work towards FC Isle of Man playing the 2020-21 season, whenever that may start, in an English league. We understand that might not be possible because of a large number of things that are beyond our control but we will do our best to put everything in place so we are ready when the time comes whether that be for the 2020/21 or 2021/22 season.

’We will continue to do so with our community, its individuals and businesses at the forefront of our minds.

’We know that the next few weeks and months may be tough for us all, therefore some of our planned announcements have been put back a week or two.

’In due course we will share what we are doing and how people can become a part of it. We will endeavour to strike the right tone in our actions and would appreciate feedback from you all if we get this wrong at any point.

’Football is a long way down the priority list for us, let alone anyone else at present. However, we also know that we would like FC Isle of Man to play its part in helping our island move beyond our current reality.

’So, we will continue to build a community football club. One that will represent all of us because it will be created by all of us.

’We know there are many more people beyond our small working group that share our positivity about this project and we thank everyone for their support to date. Between us all we can make this happen.’

FC Isle of Man’s proposed bid to join the North West Counties League was due to be discussed by the English FA this month. However, the club’s acceptance to the English system may well be affected by the FA’s decision to abandon its non-league season last week and the uncertainty and questions that has sparked.

NWCL chairman Paul Lawler has written to the English FA seeking clarification on a number issues regarding the decision to null and void the 2019-20 campaign. One of Lawler’s queries is about how new applications to the league will be addressed, a category FC Isle of Man fall into.

The English FA’s council has yet to ratify the decision to null and void the current campaign and more than 60 clubs have now put their name to a letter asking for the ruling to be reconsidered.

As a county member of the English FA, the Isle of Man FA abandoned the Manx season last Friday, 24 hours after its counterparts from across the Irish Sea. Reaction to that appeared in this week’s Isle of Man Examiner, which is on sale now.