GM Update: Wednesday 30th March

The 2010/11 Elite League Season reaches its finale this weekend with the Elite League Playoff Finals Weekend in Nottingham and despite the fact we won’t be participating in the event this year I am sure it will be a fabulous weekend of hockey that all our loyal fans will enjoy.

It’s been a very tough season for everyone involved with the club this season and that’s putting it very mildly but the fact we were able to steer the club to the end of 2010/11 season honouring all commitments along the way is nothing short of miraculous and arguably one of the clubs finest achievements.  I have to be honest and in November I thought survival was almost too big an obstacle to overcome but we managed it and was due to a few critical elements coming together and fighting for the clubs future.

Completion of the 2010/11 season would not have been possible without our magnificent loyal supporters who rallied behind the club when it needed it most, our incredible players who remained with the club giving their absolute all every time stepped on the ice, our coach who showed amazing leadership throughout in the toughest of circumstances, the amazing volunteers who did all they could to keep the club operating throughout, the management of Whitley Bay Ice Rink who did what they could to assist the club where possible, supporters from all over the UK who showed amazing levels of support and of course the Elite League itself who stepped in to assist where required in the second half of the season.

Without question the season has been an absolute rollercoaster and despite some lows we experienced some tremendous highs along the way which I am sure will live with everyone involved for a long time.  The away win in Belfast to qualify for the semi finals of the Challenge Cup, the semi final 1^st leg win over the Panthers, the Bash @ the Bay win over the Panthers, the Pink in the Rink win over Dundee and of course the home and away wins over Coventry.  The fact we were able to pull of these amazing results given the predicament we found ourselves in is testament to the amazing group of players, our coach and supporters that gave their absolute all.

The past few weeks we have been tidying up loose ends from the 2010/11 season and I can confirm the majority of players are now in the process of returning home for a well-earned break.  I can also confirm that Andrew Blackwell has now left the club and we wish Andrew all the very best for the future and thank him for all his efforts during his time with the club.

I would like to make a small comment regarding our previous owner Paddy O’Connor and that the past is the past and I don’t think we should dwell on this too much.  Paddy will take criticism for leaving the club mid-season which is fair enough but what we should remember as well is that Paddy invested a tremendous amount of finance as well as effort and passion into the club over many years and its unfortunate things didn’t work out this time round.  The events of the past season were unfortunate for Paddy and we all wish they could have been different but unfortunately some circumstances out with Paddy’s control dictated otherwise.  Had it not been for Paddy and the previous ownership the club would have disappeared a long time ago and this should be remembered.

Focus now turns to the future for the club and there have been no significant updates I can provide regarding the clubs future other than we are continuing to do all we can to keep professional ice hockey alive in the North East.  No decision has been made regarding the clubs immediate future but I can confirm studies are already underway to research the clubs sustainability.  I can also confirm the only venue option on the table for the club at this point is Whitley Bay as there are no plans for the Metro Radio Arena to be in a position to provide ice due to issues with the ice plant as was the case this past season.  Whilst no definitive decision has been reached at this point realistically I believe a decision will be made one way or another by May 2011 and we will of course update all supporters as soon as a decision is reached.

One key area for consideration in the decision process will be the clubs fan base and all parties must be confident the supporters share the appetite to keep the club alive moving forward and I expect a an online survey of sorts to be conducted shortly where all fans can provide their views and opinions.