Vipers are excluded from Elite discussion
Apr 3 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal
THE Vipers are keeping their counsel after being excluded from talks about the future of ice hockey’s Elite League.
Britain’s top-flight has confirmed discussions about next season’s league took place on Monday without the Vipers, Manchester Phoenix, Edinburgh Capitals and Basingstoke Bison.
When asked by The Journal about the development, Vipers coach and co-owner Rob Wilson refused to be drawn beyond expressing gratitude for the support received since he admitted on Sunday the club’s future was in doubt.
“We’re just working hard behind the scenes trying to get things sorted,” he said. “We’ve had a ton of support in the last four or five days, and Paul (Ferone, his co-owner) and I are over the moon with it. It shows the North East is a great place to play hockey.”
The Vipers, Manchester and Edinburgh were excluded as they are yet to confirm participation for 2009-10. Basingstoke will definitely not be involved.
A statement on behalf of the league claimed “the clubs not present (were) fully aware of the meeting”, something Wilson refused to confirm or deny.
But he did add: “It’s Elite League Play-Off Finals Weekend, so we’ll go down there and see what’s what. We’re just trying to see what’s best for the club, and for hockey in the North East.
“Myself, Paul and Jaimie (Longmuir, the managing director) are working hard to figure the best plan for the club. As far as anything else goes, we don’t want to say anything just yet.”
The Elite League statement also said that: “Immediately following the meeting all clubs were advised of the outcome, which is to continue effectively under the same playing conditions as in 2008-2009 and the league presently awaits the remaining clubs to formally confirm if they are continuing their involvement in the league.”
The Vipers’ failure to commit is not so much due to the economic climate cited by the six breakaway clubs – the division’s richest – as fixture difficulties.
Ice availability at their normal venue, Newcastle Arena, is very limited next season, with one seven-week period in which no games can be played.
The Vipers are setting up a consultation with fans to gauge the response to an increased number of games at Whitley Bay before deciding the viability of maintaining Elite League status.
