CLUB owner Gary Cowan has a message for Manchester Storm's stayaway fans: ''Get off your backsides, get back to the Arena and get behind your team!''

Salford businessman Cowan has been disappointed by the Storm's poor results since he took over in the summer but more worrying is the plummeting attendance which last Saturday saw less than 3,000 fans at the M.E.N. Arena witness the 2-0 defeat by Ayr.

But Cowan believes now is the time for the fans to stand up and be counted and get fully behind coach Daryl Lipsey and his team.

''The supporters that did turn up on Saturday were brilliant and while the atmosphere wasn't electric, they did stand up to cheer the team at the end of the game,'' said Cowan.

''When the fans are on form it makes a massive difference. It's like having an extra player out there on the ice.

''I know the results are not going the way we would like at the moment and I sympathise with the fans. But I can assure them we are doing everything we can to put that right.

''Right now, we need all our fans to turn out in force and get behind the team.

''If you want an ice hockey team in Manchester, one that will challenge for all the major trophies, then you have to get down to the Arena and support the Storm.''

Fans will get their chance on Sunday when London Knights are the visitors to the M.E.N. Arena (face-off 5pm).

Storm have a great record against the Knights this season having won all three games.

''We seem to have their number right now,'' said coach Lipsey.

''But in our position we can't take anything for granted. London are a very good team and we will have to be in our best form to win this one.''

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