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Post by JP on May 4, 2005 12:09:27 GMT 1
Both the Stars and Flyers are pretty much needing a yes answer from the EIHL on Thursday, or the two teams could end up with no league (with the BNL looking almost like a sank ship)
Discuss..
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Post by Dave on May 4, 2005 16:18:43 GMT 1
I have said yes, because the last thing british ice hockey needs is two stable clubs taking a step back.
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Post by King Rich on May 4, 2005 16:41:58 GMT 1
It would be nice, but if they didn't get in it wouldn't be the end of the world for me. I voted "Not bothered".
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Post by Claret & Blue Army on May 4, 2005 17:22:57 GMT 1
Only if the number of teams in the league did not exceed 10. With Newcastle & Edinburgh already admitted that leaves only one space for which I presume Manchester will take. It does leave a question as to the point of the MK vote on the board which will miss out if they ever get their act together
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Post by Dave on May 4, 2005 19:23:59 GMT 1
well its all about looking after british ice hockey. British ice hockey is so unstable. We need these 2 teams to join the elite league for the short term. But I think another tier needs to be made. The BNL is finished, so I think we have to make another middle tier. Because the wealthier clubs need to keep up attendances and sheff/nott/bel fans might not turn up to watch games against lesser quality opposition.
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Post by Ebony on May 4, 2005 20:13:50 GMT 1
I voted yes to the two teams joining the EIHL. British ice hockey is too delicate for teams to be turned way and allowed to sink. If not, a middle league needs to be created for these teams, so they can survive and seek to reach the elite league. Now it seems elite league or bust for smaller teams which is a shame, cos ice hockey is already a minority sport in the UK. It needs all the support it can get.
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Post by your name here on May 5, 2005 16:59:48 GMT 1
Only if the number of teams in the league did not exceed 10. With Newcastle & Edinburgh already admitted that leaves only one space for which I presume Manchester will take. It does leave a question as to the point of the MK vote on the board which will miss out if they ever get their act together I'm a bit of a novice at this rumour mill game, what's the downside of having more than 10 teams? Also, what's the chance of the Elite league getting its act together with the EPL to create something like an Elite league fed by North and South EPL leagues with some sort of conditional promotion / relegation as used in Rugby and Cricket? ENL North and South Leagues would then feed the EPL leagues.... Sounds like a case for one governing body to me  I reckon on about 10 teams in Elite and 8 teams in each of the EPL and ENL North and South Leagues? Discuss...  |
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Post by Claret & Blue Army on May 5, 2005 17:36:43 GMT 1
As well as Dundee and Fife there are Guildford who have the begging bowl out at this afternoons meeting.
Suggestions on THF include the possibility of forming a new NPL involving the slightly better off clubs who would feel the restrictions of 4 import EPL hockey.
Too many teams in the Elite League league would lead to a reduction of lucrative home matches against top opposition.
It isn't so much a problem for us going on the past couple of years as we have a steady attendance that would turn up to watch us playing a rec team and near sell outs for the big ones.
Folks in Nottingham, Hovisland, Belfast (And maybe Cardiff) are slightly more selective and would give a miss to these "lesser" teams. Therefore by depriving them of at least one fixture against Blaze, Panthers, Squealers, Devils etc they will feel the pinch at the money end of the equation.
Hence the desired solution of 10 teams in the league 3 x home and 3 x away (54 game season) includes enough money matches to compensate for the sparsely attended ones.
Before you thing it is a big teams mafia I would point out that teams like Racers and Bison would rather play an extra game against the big teams with our larger following than say Fife or Dundee.
Promotion and relegation issues would never work for a number of reasons. Main one being that if any of the big teams had a bad year and got relegated would be more likely to suggest another breakaway league than be demoted and try to win their way back up.
Also between the EIHL (11 imports) and the EPL (4 imports) there is such a disparity that it would not make sense having weaker teams in the top league trying to bridge the gap. The finances dictate which teams play in which league. Even the bigger/stabler EPL sides like MK, Peterborough & Slough now play EPL as the costs of running a team in the now defunct BNL were too much.
To be honest I would rather the 9 teams in the EIHL as it stands at the moment waited until Manchester are ready before admitting anyone else
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Post by Rich on May 5, 2005 20:22:17 GMT 1
Let them in as 12 teams in the Elite League would be alright plus we would get a Scotland weekend. I wouldn't mind seeing MK join as well but I don't approve of a 13 team league as 13 is an odd number.
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Post by Claret & Blue Army on May 5, 2005 20:27:03 GMT 1
No news seems to have leaked out thus far. And the meeting should be over by now.
Snippet in the CET today mentions Fife and Dundee desparate to join the EIHL whilst Hull and Guildford could possibly follow Bracknell down into the EPL
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Post by your name here on May 5, 2005 21:49:29 GMT 1
Too many teams in the Elite League .......... Cheers Chief - seems to make sense now. |
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Post by Claret & Blue Army on May 5, 2005 22:42:27 GMT 1
And as reported elsewhere, we are going with 9 possibly 10 for the upcoming season which is perfect.
I have to confess to agreeing with Simmsys' comment on the Blaze mailing list about the Capitals being invited to the party as the wrong move from a geographical viewpoint. They will also be a poor draw throughout the league when they are on the road
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Post by JP on May 17, 2005 1:49:44 GMT 1
10 teams would be great, i can't wait for Manchester to confirm that there back.
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Post by Claret & Blue Army on May 17, 2005 17:19:24 GMT 1
Although there might be a little variance with the addition of two teams and the possible return of Manchester, I have a feeling that the big 5 will stretch away from the teams making up the numbers with greater force next season. I don't see that Edinburgh or Newcastle can bring anything to the table other than to boost Bison & Londons points tally.
Personally I think the league should have stuck with last years teams and included only Manchester if viable. After all last season wasn't too bad was it? I for one enjoyed it
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