WESSEX PREMIER LEAGUE side Cowes Sports FC are one of the top football clubs on the Isle Of Wight and they face some of the longest away days in the league.
A common away day for the Yachtsmen relies on the hourly ferries from the Island to Southampton.
This causes their matches to occasionally be called off due to ferry issues, but regardless of the setbacks club captain John McKie believes it’s important for the team.
“it’s good for us as a team, bonding, from that position, because it brings us together.
“We’re so used to traveling compared to teams on the mainland don’t have that, whereas we are always together.”
In the past, ferry delays have caused the Yachtsmen to arrive late to kick offs, with McKie believing it puts the Island sides at a disadvantage.
“I think the frustrations that we’ve experienced typically midweek, is referees are a lot more accommodating for their delaying kickoffs by 10 minutes, 15 minutes.
“if it’s the other way around, we’ll never, ever get that.” McKie Said.
Co-Manager Mark Woodhouse also believes the travelling develops a great bond with his team, with him saying its a consequence of the travelling.
“It brings a lads close together, and they become like a family, because you spend the whole of a Saturday together.
“You can see that when you when you’re around the guys and you’re on the bus, they’ve got a special relationship, that I don’t think the other teams necessarily forged in the league”
With only one other side from the Island in the league they play 80% of their league matches on the mainland.
The Cowes Side sit 16th in the league, making competitive football on the island a possibility.
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