Uncertain future for the Vipers

Mar 31 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

“Any club is only as strong as its fans. We’re going to have to play a lot of games at Whitley Bay next season, we need to know if the fans will get behind that.

“There’s no point trying to keep a team if fans don’t want it. We want to continue but we want the fans to want it. The ball’s in their court.” The club almost broke even this season, but next year’s arrangements will threaten that. With new rinks planned for Gateshead and Durham, the Vipers could have a long-term escape route but they would be reluctant to use it.

“We certainly hope the team can stay in Newcastle but it’s difficult,” Longmuir admitted.

“The Arena is a great venue for us, a great location, but it doesn’t just provide a venue for ice hockey.

“The only revenue we get is gates and merchandise. Food and car parking is taken 100% by the venue, and rents are increasing.

“We’re following the stories in the Press (about Durham and Gateshead) but we’ve had no contact with them.

Any development would be welcomed by everyone who needs ice. If someone came to us, we would obviously talk about it. ”