The Bernabowl | |
 | |
| Location | Pulrose Road, Douglas, Isle of Man |
|---|---|
| Owner | Douglas Borough Council |
| Operator | Parks Department |
| Capacity | 3,350 |
| Surface | 3G Astro Turf |
| Tenants | |
| St Marys A.F.C. F.C. Isle of Man Isle of Man official football team Ellan Vannin football team | |
The King George V Bowl (commonly known as The Bowl) is a multi-use stadium in Douglas, Isle of Man, and the home of F.C. Isle of Man. With a capacity of 3,350, a third of which are under cover, and a viewing platform for disabled users, it is the largest stadium on the Island. The Bowl also serves as the home of the Isle of Man Football Association, Isle of Man official football team and Ellan Vannin football team.
The highest attendance (3,327 spectators) was registered in the F.A. Inter League Cup Final on 28.04.12 against Jersey.
Nicknamed "The Bernabowl" by local supporters in reference to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium,[1] The Bowl has been the home ground of F.C. Isle of Man since July 2020,[2] the club shares the ground with nine local clubs for their winter training schedule and St Marys A.F.C. have taken up permanent residence, training and playing their league matches at the stadium.
The Bowl was redeveloped at a cost of around £3.3 million,[3] with then-Minister of Infrastructure David Cretney saying: "This is an exceptional facility at the heart of our Island of Sport. The previous, out of date Bowl has been transformed into a flagship sporting venue that will enable upcoming sports men and women to challenge the best visiting and local players."
The pitch is a 65 mm (2.6 in) rubber infill 3G carpet system, the same as currently used at Manchester United's Trafford Training Centre. It is approved by the RFU and FIFA for rugby and football.[4] There are also four 500 lux floodlights on 18-metre (59 ft) columns in each corner of the stadium.
The Bowl is owned by Douglas Borough Council.[5]
- ^ Turton, Sam (11 February 2022). "Back to Back at The Bernabowl". Gef - Isle of Man. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ "Our Story". FC Isle of Man. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ^ "Official Opening of the Bowl Stadium - Isle of Man News | Manx.net". manx.net. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ^ "Isle of Man Government - The Bowl providing a lasting legacy". gov.im. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ^ "Bowl could become 'national stadium'". Douglas Borough Council. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2008.