MANCHESTER Phoenix are planning to move from the M.E.N. Arena to a new home in east Manchester.

The ice hockey club is in discussion with Manchester City Council to find land for a new ice rink, and have a commercial backer to fund the development.

An exact location is still to be pinpointed, but it could be part of the Eastlands development next door to the City of Manchester Stadium, home of Manchester City Football Club.

The new ice rink would seat around 3,000 fans, provide skating facilities for the general public, ensure the future of professional ice hockey in the city, and the development of young players.

Phoenix managing director Neil Morris said: "We see this as a turning point for ice sports in Manchester. Our own future rests on the ability of people to take part in ice sports, from recreational skating through to ice hockey.

"This is intended to be a community-based facility with easy access for the people of Manchester. Ice hockey itself has had a huge following in the city, but is going through a period of consolidation. There is still a long way to go before this becomes a reality. However, we have assembled a group of people who have the desire and capability to make it happen."

Regeneration

Tom Russell, Chief Executive of the City Council's development agency New East Manchester, said: "East Manchester has become synonymous with world-class sports facilities and events, and this is driving the regeneration of the wider area.

"Ice has the potential to enhance the range of attractions that East Manchester offers, and we are working closely with Manchester Phoenix to identify and examine the feasibility of possible sites."

The club owners are aware of the new facility planned for Altrincham, but feel this will not impact on their own venture.

Their research shows that a conurbation of Manchester's size could comfortably support two ice rinks, one on either side of the city. Sheffield, for example, has three public ice pads.

The commercial backer is an existing operator of ice rinks, and has indicated that the new building could be of a permanent nature, or - with developments in new technology - could be a less expensive semi-permanent structure.

The plans will herald a new era for ice hockey in Manchester, which burst on to the scene in 1995 with the formation of Manchester Storm after the opening of the M.E.N. Arena.

The new team was soon a spectacular success, attracting five figure crowds, including one in excess of 18,000, as they won the Superleague Championship and the Benson and Hedges Cup.

Discounted

But tickets were heavily discounted and many of them were given away free.

Ogdens, who operated the Arena and owned the team, sold out to another American company, SMG Europe, who decided to sell the team after one season.

Local businessman Gary Cowan took over, but just a couple of months into his second season in charge the team went bust.

Players went unpaid and season ticket holders lost out.

After a series of public meetings at Manchester Town Hall, it became apparent that the fans were desperate to keep ice hockey alive in the city and a new club was formed.

Phoenix competed last season in the new Elite Ice Hockey League. It proved a difficult campaign, but the low-budget team reached the Play-off semi-finals.

They needed crowds of 3,000 to make ends meet at the costly M.E.N. Arena. But attendances, while growing at the end of the season, averaged nearer to 2,000. And Morris, who funded the club, invested '250,000.

Now the club's future at the M.E.N Arena must be in doubt, and Phoenix are holding another public meeting at Manchester Town Hall tomorrow at 7.30pm to give fans a say. Tweet