Congrats are due to Nipper (and Paul) for getting the message over and getting the result of a full set of teams in Altrincham. The hard work now starts in expanding the development set up.
Presumably offers of assistance whether financial or on the game night will be welcomed. If anyone can help, emails to webmaster@altr..etc etc will be forwarded.
As it appeared I'm being misquoted on the Phoenix site. This is the actual text of what I'd posted elsewhere :
QUOTE
What happened to the Aces? I thought they were hoping to startup again?
QUOTE (Learned Robb @ Jun 11 2007, 09:46 PM)
The option was always there for anyone independant of the Phoenix to apply to the rink for the ice time to run an ENL side in. Seemingly (and to the best of my knowledge), no one came forward, so the club has taken the steps to do so.
In reply, I added this:
#No, this is the 'return' of the Aces (LR is taking the Phoenix PR too literally) - the team will be coached and run by Paul Bayliss and will have a core of former Aces and former Altrincham juniors, most of whom have been playing in Flintshire for the last few years.
Just as the Manchester Juniors are a new version of the old Altrincham junior set up, the new form of the ENIHL team will come under the Phoenix umbrella at the new rink as part of the overall development programme. Like the juniors, it's likely to be independently funded.
The difference from the Aces will be that the ENIHL team, of course, won't be the senior team in the rink so you'll have a team similar to teams such as the Kingston Jets or Nottingham Lions with limits on funding, ice time etc. #
AS I say on the Phoenix site (in other words) - this is good news for ***** ****
This message has been edited by AcesAces on Jun 13, 2007 12:20 AM
So this means the new team at Manchester has nothing to do with the Phoenix set up? The team will basically be the old "Aces" with some junior additions? I thought it would be run for some of the U19's that have been left out due to the ENL ruling, but it is to be run seperately you say? Interesting. Will he take Crawley, Hough, Richardson x2, Hughes, King etc. from Flintshire then?
So this means the new team at Manchester has nothing to do with the Phoenix set up?
See Rick, its not just some of the Phoenix fans you're confusing with the way you made your post :P I'm not touching the point of is it a new aces or a completely new team under the Manchester Phoenix setup with a 10 foot long pole, because its not worth it.
At the end of the ENL team is a part of the new developmental setup at the rink, filling the gap between the juniors and professional EIHL. Hopefully in time the ENL team will produce players who are good enough to go on and play higher quality hockey in the EIHL, and if the players aren't good enough to step up give them someone to play competitively (until the EIHA gets this U-25 rule in of course). Whatever way you choose to look at it, its a massive positive for the sport in the region, which will hopefully become stronger than ever before given time.
It'd be pretty damn sweet to see Bayliss help bring a few ENL trophies to Altrincham while hes at the development bit.
This message has been edited by AcesAces on Jun 12, 2007 5:03 PM
Steve - No, you will have some of the Aces back plus ex juniors plus current juniors. Expect some of those named to come over - others may prefer to play more hockey and stay where they are. Expect to see plenty of youngsters given the chance of ice time.
It's within the overall Phoenix framework - I think the team is actually part of the junior club. Independent in so far as I believe it needs to cover its own costs.
Jon - I was more concerned about being misrepresented on the Phoenix site. As you say at the end of the day, this doesn't matter apart from the fact of getting the team back on the ice.
Your post above has been amended as requested.
This message has been edited by AcesAces on Jun 12, 2007 5:16 PM
Does this mean I can finally dust off flick and trail. I may be a little faster now.
On a serious note what fantastic news for ice hockey in manchester and well done uncle nipps.
When are the trials as I'll have to get into some soet of form hahahahahaha