Your guide to the Isle of Man tournament

GROUP A

OLDHAM

The current Isle of Man tournament champions and Burnley's first opponents tomorrow at The Bowl in Douglas.

Andy Ritchie -- or "The Messiah" as he's known in Oldham -- has had a torrid two seasons in charge at Boundary Park, but steered the Latics to mid-table security in Division Two last season after a disastrous start.

Ritchie has tried to keep the squad together from last season, where he used a number of promising youngsters who had come through the youth system. These include left back Andy Holt, linked with several moves away from Oldham, top scorer last season Mark Allott and Mark Innes.

But there's also plenty of experience at Oldham with 35-year-old midfielder John Sheridan, although a toe injury could hinder his chances, skipper Lee Duxbury and winger Neil Adams, who used to play with Ritchie in the glory days at Boundary Park.

Oldham have already got two pre season games under their belt -- a 3-2 defeat of Conference side Leigh RMI followed by a game at Rhyl last night. MAIN MAN: Goalkeeper Gary Kelly, recalled into the Republic of Ireland set-up last season, after a great season between the sticks at Boundary Park. Recently signed a new three-year deal.

ISLE OF MAN

THERE could be two familiar names among the Isle of Man side.

Burnley's Paul Cook should know former Stockport defender Paul Jones while ex-Carlisle player Lee Dixon stars in their midfield.

Otherwise, the Isle of Man side are largely made up of amateurs working as fisherman or in offices jobs on the island. They aren't realistically meant to beat any of the visiting sides but the underdogs ran a few sides close last pre season -- including Premier side Watford.

Skippering the Manx side is Steve Corkill, who, sources in the Isle of Man say, is a great leader, composed in defence and reads the game well.

But their main strength lies in midfield where, it's said, they have an abundance of talent. Last year's player of the tournament Nick Hurt links up with Dixon in the centre of the park while versatile Chris Feeney offers creativity from all areas of midfield.

The last time they defeated a professional side was Wrexham in penalties in 1993 but don't rule them out! MAIN MAN: Goalkeeper, and fisherman, John Ward apparently saves his best for this tournament. He is the most experienced member of the squad and has outshone his professional counterparts with superb displays in the past two festivals

GROUP B

BURY

BURNLEY manager Stan Ternent certainly knows more than enough about his former club but they have proved a bit of a bogey team to the Clarets last season.

As most Burnley fans would care to forget, it was a 4-2 defeat on Boxing Day at Gigg Lane and a 2-2 draw -- thanks to a last gasp Ronnie Jepson header -- at Turf Moor.

There's been no new major signings at Bury this season although they have got goalkeeping cover for highly rated Paddy Kenny with the addition of youngster Glyn Garner. They also taken Dean Crowe on a three month loan spell from Stoke after he impressed at Gigg Lane at the end of last season before an injury forced him to return to the Britannia Stadium early .

The management team of striker Andy Preece and defender Steve Redmond have signed new contracts to stay in charge and they look likely to keep introducing the youngsters -- the likes of Matt Barrass and Martyn Forrest -- as they did last season.

Warmed up to the tournament with their usual trip to UniBond side Radcliffe Borough where they won 3-0. MAIN MAN: Probably has to be midfield battler Nick Daws, who has been linked with the Clarets time and time again. He is the Shaker's skipper with 12 months to run on his current contract and is "Mr Consistent", having spent his entire professional career -- eight years -- at Gigg Lane and has rarely missed a game after signing from Altrincham for £10,000. He has though made no secret of his desire to return to First Division football. If Burnley face Bury, he'll be out to show the Clarets what they are missing.

STOKE

The Potters should certainly be one of the fittest teams in the Isle of Man with four pre season matches already under their belt.

After a week long tour of Iceland, where they drew all three of their matches, City are set to face Premiership Liverpool this afternoon at Britannia Stadium -- so there will be no match rustiness from Stoke.

Boss Gudjon Thordason has been linked with a number of foreign players, and so could prove a bit of an unknown quantity if they do face the Clarets.

One is Danish international Henrik Risom, a 31-year-old midfielder, who won his last international cap eight years ago, from Danish side Veile. And the other is Icelandic striker Rikardur Dadas, currently playing in Norway.

The manager's son Bjardi Gudjonsson plays in midfield alongside Brynjar Gunnarsson, who was struggling with injury after the recent return from his native Iceland.

But, back down to earth, there's still the recognisable names like Tony Dorigo and Graham Kavanagh. Stoke are set for another season in Division Two after a play-off semi-final defeat to Gillingham, the eventual Wembley winners.

MAIN MAN: Should be striker Peter Thorne if he recovers from a knee injury in time. The 30-goal hot shot last season had a minor operation on his knee but, when he returned to pre season training, the problem flared up again and he had to sit out the trip to Iceland. So far, he's only just started doing leg work so he may only make a short, if any, appearance on the tour.

DARLINGTON

It's all gone pear-shaped for the big money Third Division side. After losing out at Wembley in the play-offs last season to Peterborough, chairman George Reynolds has been in the newspapers in the North East a lot. An apparent financial row led to him revealing his players earnings and he also said he would like to sign Paul Gascoigne.

Their biggest loss has been top scorer Marco Gabbiadini for an undisclosed fee to Northampton.

And there have been other departures. Striker Peter Duffield to York City and skipper Steve Tutill joined Chesterfield. Midfielder Michael Oliver joined Rochdale and he said, on his arrival at Spotland, that the Quakers could struggle unless they start buying.

Manager Dave Hodgson has only made two additions so far -- 23-year-old Newcastle starlet Stuart Elliott, a defender and he has also signed Tom Kaak, a 21-year-old from Dutch side Heracles, subject to a medical. Lee Nogan, brother of former Burnley striker, Kurt and Neil Aspin, who will be starting his second season at Feethams after giving 10 years good service to Port Vale, are still at the club.

MAIN MEN: Neil Heaney, a left winger, was thought to be on his way to Dundee United during the summer but the deal is currently off. He is expected to be with the Quakers on the Isle of Man. There is also Craig Liddle, said to be one of the best defenders in the Third Division.

FIXTURES

Sun July 23

BURNLEY v Oldham Athletic at The Bowl, Douglas, ko 3pm

Mon July 24

Stoke City v Darlington at NSC, Douglas, ko 3pm

IOM XI v Oldham Athletic, Ballacloan Stadium, Ramsey, ko 7.15pm

Tues July 25

Darlington v Bury at NSC, Douglas, ko 3pm

Wed July 26

Stoke City v Bury at NSC, Douglas, ko 3pm

BURNLEY v Isle of Man XI at The Bowl, Douglas ko 7.15pm

Fri July 28

Play-off at NSC, Douglas, ko 3pm.

Play-off at Ballacloan Stadium Ramsey, ko 7.15pm

Sat July 29

Final at The Bowl, Douglas, ko 3pm