Manchester Phoenix

From Free net encyclopedia

The Manchester Phoenix is an ice hockey team from Manchester, England.

In 2002, the Manchester Storm, once the best supported ice hockey club in Europe went bust. A supporters group known as 'The Friends of Manchester Ice Hockey' was established in order to ensure that Manchester would get a new team.

Unable to use the old Storm name, the new club was lanched in 2003 using the name Manchester Phoenix. They were founding members of the British Elite Ice Hockey League and played out of the MEN Arena for their inaugural season.

Despite an impressive beginning, with 3,600 turning out for the first home game (vs. London Racers), crowds struggled however and it soon became apparent that ice hockey at the busiest indoor venue in Europe would no longer be viable. The seasons average was approx 2150 per game. In May 2004 the Phoenix announced that they had the funding to construct a new ice rink and subsequently would withdraw from the 2004-05 season while it was completed. The club had still not managed to build a new venue by Summer 2005 and announced that would not be playing in the 2005-06 season either.

In November 2005, the club announced details of a new rink to be built in partnership with Nikal David McLean and Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council. The new rink will have around 2000 seats, and space for 450 standing spectators. Planning permission for the rink was granted in early January 2006 with the building expected to be complete and opened by July/August 2006.

[edit]