Phoenix on back burner

June 17, 2005

MANCHESTER Phoenix have lost the race to field a team playing in the Elite League next season.

While their new semi-permanent ice rink could be up and running by the late autumn, managing director Neil Morris revealed today they had decided to defer their return to top flight professional ice hockey for another season.

"We've come an awful long way towards getting a new ice rink built, but the simple fact is that the new facility won't be ready in time for the start of the new season on September 17," said Morris.

"All the basic negotiations are completed, the re-amended and finalised plans have been submitted to Trafford Borough Council and now we await the final sitting of the full council meeting to ratify the scheme.

"Trafford have moved as quickly as their machinery allows and we accept that these processes take time.

"In this instance, the time factor has beaten both parties - although both are keen for the scheme to be brought to fruition."

The club decided against playing matches on the road, or at alternative venues, and Morris explained: "We know this decision is going to disappoint an awful lot of people but, I hope - on reflection - the fans, and existing sponsors will see, and try to appreciate, the dilemma we've had.

Critical

"The opening couple of months of a hockey season are the most critical in terms of cash-flow and without any home gate income, the cash-flow direction therefore is predominantly outward which is not a viable business option.

"Secondly, a plethora of road trips early on means a similar plethora of home games later in the season and again, had we asked the fans to travel like crazy in the early weeks, we'd then be asking for them to practically live in our own building while we played catch- up with the fixtures."

The club will now concentrate all its efforts into getting the rink up and running and open to the public as soon as possible.

Phoenix MD Neil Morris will be taking part in a live ManchesterOnline webchat on Thursday 23rd June at 1pm, so log in to www.manchesteronline.co.uk/chat to ask him questions about the club. Alternatively, you can mail in advance questions below

| Submit Comments | Comments (15) |

Showing comments 1 to 15 and replies | View All

Mags, Shaw (17/06/2005 at 10:31)

I feel heartly sorry for everyone who supports the Phoenix. Having to wait another year is a killer, but the person I feel for most is Neil Morris.I don't for one minute think he's taken this decision lightly but he will get an awful lot of undeserved stick for it.
I for one, would rather wait another year and get the rink and the structure spot on.
All the best with this venture Neil and get your flack suit on!

Linda, Cheadle (17/06/2005 at 13:54)

It was a sensible decision to take we all know Neil has made a commitment and although Trafford are helpful the wheels of local councils move very slowly good luck to him in the future

Roger, Exiled in Holmfirth (17/06/2005 at 15:47)

No big surprise here, he said as much in his comments at the start of June. Will the support still be here another year later? I hope so

Colin, Sale (17/06/2005 at 22:03)

Sad, but not unexpected in this depressing saga of trying to get an ice rink back in the Manchester area. Hopefully there will still the interest next year and finally there'll be a facility not just for the hockey players and fans, but also all the other former active participants and all the youngsters who used to go to the public sessions. Gold star for Neil Morris for trying but a lemon for the council and planners.

MArk, EX 108 (18/06/2005 at 00:26)

Well wise move neil just hope the wait is worth while

All i can say at this time THANKS NEIL FOR WHAT U HAVE DONE SO FAR so proud of u a lot of hard work gone into this

Thanks again neil and all his back room staff

robbie smith, Nantwich (18/06/2005 at 06:11)

So we are not going to get ice hockey in Altrincham again for a third year
But what is all this all this talk about it is our rink for Manchester Phoenix.
I thought McNeil were building a community ice rink for the people of Altrincham and all ice disciplines not Mr Morris building a rink in Altrincham for ice hockey.
Surely it is time to admit that to move the Metros to Manchester failed and MIHC have failed and let Altrincham have its own development set up in its own rink and the return of the Altrincham Ice Hockey Club .
Or are the Phoenix know Landlords as opposed to paying members of the public paying to use the facility but on a larger scale

Storm4ever, tameside (18/06/2005 at 23:10)

Farcical,joke,shoddy,shameful,laughable.Too late again, too many chiefs not enough indians,yet again the fans suffer and hockey as a product is not given the chance it deserves because it is let down by timewasters.YES! you Mr Morris,Trafford mbc,Mcr council,BIHL and any other muppet

Chris, Calgary, Canada (21/06/2005 at 22:50)

Well I feel Storm4ever, tameside is not in touch with reality. I think it was unlikely that Neil would have been able to get things going in such a short time. The question that should be asked is why the Trafford Council allowed the old rink to shut before a new one was opened as in the covenant? I suspect Neil has worked his socks off and Storm4ever, tameside'scomment is un called for. You do better rather than winging!

Storm4ever, tameside (22/06/2005 at 21:20)

AHH DIDDUMS MR SPANSWICK! You call 18 months short time.I call it "realistic".As for the old rink in Alty it was ancient past it`s best.Mr Morris didn`t have the backbone to say no hockey this year did he.David McLean Nikal did his job for him.10 years and still hardly any youth hockey development,public skating facilities,future skaters travelling miles to train because this city has given in to paperwork again. " I have some really important business decisions to make over the coming weeks," said Mr Morris.Kneesocks or anklesocks?Whatever you decide pull them up fast and give yourself a pat on the back .Maybe 12 months won`t seem like a year really!

Chris, Calgary (24/06/2005 at 01:09)

I'd love to see you do better mr thameside! It's so easy to complain and do simply nothing! Mr Morris did get thing running for a year. None of us have any idea what's been going on in the background. Knowing the workload of running Canadian junior hockey over here 18 months is a VERY short time to get things up and running for junior and senior hockey up and running again especially after the fiasco of the Storm in it's final years. I say again if you think it's so easy offer to help or do it yourself!

bill, tameside (24/06/2005 at 23:51)

why is anyone surprised
there seems to be no real money Manchester doesnt deserve ice sports not enough people interested this is not Canada.
I will carry on supporting sheffield great ice great development and people committed just look at a public session at Ice Sheffield for the evidence

Eddy, Nottingham (16/08/2005 at 14:19)

Used to watch storm - since moved out of Gangchester and lived in Sheffield for four years, Westminster for two and now Nottingham. It pains me to see how bad things have got with Storm/Pheonix. As the previous poster mentioned Sheffields facilities are much better although i was born and bred and spent the first 22 years of my life in Manchester. Sheffield is a much better city with less crime, more support for ice hockey and a more forward thinking council.

Mark Allen, Manchester(Gorton) (06/11/2005 at 22:16)

If i can help in anyway to get ice hockey back in Manchester, I will render my services free!

Gary, Preston (21/12/2005 at 14:13)

Coming from Belfast Ive seen the good effect a new venue can raise in both profile for the sport and entertainment. I used to watch the Giants on the road in Manchester (and when back in Belfast) and miss those nights. Lets hope all is completed very soon.

dave bridle, urmston (27/01/2006 at 14:42)

i was pleased to hear that a picture appeared in the pink bit on 21/01/06 can i ask why it is not on the ice hockey part of the news reports regards daveb

()

Report

Ice Hockey