Football fans stranded on Isle of Man due to storm

A non-league football team and 240 of their fans have been left stranded on the Isle of Man due to Storm Isha.

Kendal Town FC and their supporters flew to the island for the team’s match against FC Isle of Man on 20 January.

But most of those who had travelled for the match had their return flights cancelled by EasyJet due to bad weather, said Michael O’Neill, the club's chairman.

EasyJet said it had given the team the option to rebook or get a refund.

Most of those who travelled to the match had booked return flights for 21 January, via the airline, to either Liverpool or Manchester airport, said Mr O'Neill.

After flights were cancelled due to the storm, passengers were given the option to travel on Loganair flights departing this week at no extra cost.

But there were not many spaces available on these flights, claims Mr O’Neill.

The next EasyJet flight from the Isle of Man to Liverpool is Thursday, whereas the next flight to Manchester is Friday.

Mr O'Neill said the airline had offered him a flight to Luton Airport.

“But Luton is very far and my car is parked at Liverpool Airport,” he said.

Others were taking the ferry to get off the island, Mr O'Neill said.

But that means many still have to go to Liverpool or Manchester airports to pick up their cars.

A spokesman for EasyJet said: “We did all possible to minimise the impact of the weather and provided the team with options to rebook, including with other airlines, or receive a refund, as well as hotel accommodation and meals.

"However, the group chose to source their own accommodation which we will be reimbursing.

“While this was outside of our control we are very sorry for the inconvenience caused.

"We are in contact with the team to assist them with alternative travel arrangements to help them return home as soon as possible.”

Kendal Town FC supporter Philip Walker, who is one of those stuck on the island, told BBC Radio 5 Live that EasyJet had booked some families into hotels on the island.

But Mr O’Neill said that EasyJet had not been clear about whether they would reimburse passengers for the cost of alternative transport and extra hotel costs.

"Some people are on a really strict budget," he said.

The club has been financially helping those struggling with the cost of alternative transport back home, said Mr O'Neill.

“People have jobs they need to get back to,” he said.

Mr O’Neill also praised the Isle of Man FA for giving Kendal fans access to a team doctor.

Many of the fans are elderly and did not bring enough medication to cover the extra night's stay on the island, he said.

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