Champions

Well, it has finally happened. For those of you who read this from beyond the shores of England, or outside Kashiwazaki, then you may not have heard the Big Exciting news emanating from 1 small corner of England! Yes! Manchester are the Premier League Champions! 

Though it is not quite the Manchester you would expect...

No, not that one...

Its THIS one! 

The Manchester Phoenix! Representing the most exciting team in the city! Especially since United have climbed to the top on the back of a lot of lame performances, and City, despite all the money, flatter to deceive! And unfortunately, the EPIHL trophy does not quite have the grandeur of its more illustrious Football cousin, but, its OURS!

The Phoenix rose from the ashes of the Manchester Storm.

The Storm played out of the massive and impressive MEN Arena in Manchester (As it was for a while, the NYNEX). And for approaching 10 years, supplied plenty of exciting Hockey for the fans of the Storm. Culminating with the club gaining its first silverware by lifting the Superleague crown at the end of the 1998-99 season

A further trophy was lifted the following year with the lifting of the B&H Cup, but after that, hockey fans in Manchester began to suffer. The downward spiral had begun, and costs began to hurt the team. Ogden sold its entertainments arm, and AMG took over, and after 1 year subsidizing the team, sold it off. New ownership  took over, and ran the club for a year and half, until costs became too crippling and he had to fold the club.

Up stepped the Friends of Manchester Ice Hockey, and Neil Morris. And after many meetings and much thinking, Manchester came back into the Ice Hockey world, resurrected as the Phoenix. 

Still playing out of the MEN Arena meant the clubs costs where high, and that weighed on the budget, and the club could not attain the same level of success, despite being led by the legendary Rick Brebant, and later that year by Paul Heavey.  The costs became unbearable for Neil Morris who after a public meeting, took the decision to mothball the team as he continued to hunt for land for a smaller, lower cost arena. 

This meant that the Phoenix did not take part in the 2004-5 EIHL season, and due to overruns, could not enter the 2005-6 season. Finally, with the building nearing completion, the Phoenix got its new home (though late) and finally re-started for the 2006-7 season.

3 seasons saw the club under the leadership of (Sir) Tony Hand MBE (The Sir is unofficial. He has not got there, but he should be!) in the EIHL. Even though he built pretty useful teams, and in spite of the EIHL having a "wagecap," (hah!) the Phoenix struggled to really make a great deal of headway against the bigger teams in the EIHL.

Again, costs came in, and saw the Phoenix make the drop from the EIHL to the English Premier Ice Hockey League (EPL from now).

The drop, whilst not universally welcomed, saw the Phoenix find a happier home. In its first year, the club duked it out at the top of the table. Running first for a while, but finally having to settle for third. You can point to a very, very tough Christmas period for the club, with 4 of their squad being selected for Great Britain duty, and a serious injury to the top keeper, Steve Fone.

During the summer, Tony and Neil rebuilt the squad, learning from the lessons of the previous year. In came several new players, Curtis Huppe, Marcus Kristoffersson, Pavel Gomenyuk, and Ladislav Harabin filled the teams 4 import slots, and the team was strengthened further with the addition of the likes of James Archer and Ben Morgan.

This new grittier squad took to the ice and looked to improve on the previous season, and hit the ground running winning their first 4 games to keep up with Guildford at the top. The Phoenix did relinquish a little ground when they slipped a little in game 5, by being taken to extra time by Swindon, and ending up losing on penalties. 

The Phoenix then proceeded to go on a 9 game winning streak which saw them defeat Guildford 3-1 at the Spectrum. Unfortunately, in the double header, the Flames made their way up to Manchester and handed the Phoenix their second defeat of the season.

The Phoenix relinquished top slot in November, with a mini slump, losing twice to the Bison, and once more to the Flames. However, from the end  of November to the end of the year, the Phoenix clawed back to the top, a position they would not relinquish for the rest of the season. They went on a run of 8 wins and 1 loss on penalties. 

The first half of January saw the Phoenix keep the momentum going, only for it come to a grinding halt against Milton Keynes, and Guildford (again). Also, at the end of January, saw the Phoenix begin to suffer from injury and illness. Now, the players where beginning to carry knocks and ailments. Indeed, They where to lose Andrew Sharp to a cut artery, and just as he returns, their star defenceman, Harabin, also went out with a slash to the arm. That saw him out for a month.

After a 6-1 victory over the Bees in the first game in February, the Phoenix went on a rumble. Finally picking up some momentum, the Phoenix set their shoulders, and set off for the finishing line. And as always, the mark of a championship team is to grind out results, and this the Phoenix did. The Phoenix went on a long run (marred only by being dumped from the EPL Cup by the Bison at the semi-final stage) punctuated by Slough, who where also gearing up for their own run. With the excellent Calder, the Jets proved too much for the Phoenix.

The Phoenix however, just had to keep going. The Flames where keeping the pressure on the Phoenix all the way, and it finally went to the last weekend of the season. A point would seal it for the Phoenix. 

By all accounts, about a million went down (going by the number of "I was there's!") to Peterborough. A team the Phoenix had beaten 5 out of 5 times so far in the season. Unfortunately, with pressure on, the Phoenix could not nick the point they needed. Peterborough where determined not to let the Phoenix win it in their barn, and stepped it up, and the Phoenix just could not deliver. You can hear accounts of the game from the official podcast from the game here.

Further comments are available on various controversies over which I cannot comment because I was not there, are available from the latest Phoenix TV episode here.

So, it all boils down to the final game of the season. With an Ice Dome either at, or very close to capacity, the Phoenix took on the Swindon Wildcats at home. The fans themselves where all amazingly nervous! To quote several, "Its squeaky bum time!"

I, being stuck in Japan, was not in a position to join them. However, having watched from afar, I have, in my own way, been willing the team on. However, thanks to the beauty of modern technology, I had regular updates from a fellow fan who was forwarding texts on to me from a friend of hers, whilst she was stuck at work!

Courtesy of me! My ancient phone!

So, the game began. Would the Phoenix buckle under the pressure? Would the Phoenix run away with it? 

Well, I am not going to mince around with this! The Phoenix won. Though it was not easy. (Highlights available from Phoenix TV!) First period saw them take a slightly nervy 2-1 lead into the second period. They also lost the talismanic player/coach/god Tony Hand to an accidental high sticks call. A rule that has infuriated many. Whilst I understand the theory behind the call, I really do think it has lost a lot in practice!

Courtesy of Mr Richard Allan

which then proceeded to be goalless, and then eased to victory in the third. 3 further goals, topped off with an empty-netter and Swindon picking up a consolation.

Cue manic celebrations from fans and players alike! The players had battled all season with the bigger budget Guildford Flames, and managed to haul themselves over the line in first place. Whilst it was not a roar over the line as many would have hoped, the Phoenix, with a manic final heave, lunged over the line. 

Courtesy of Mr Richard Allan

One thing that has marked out this season has been the bond between the team, and the fans. The fans are close to the players, forming one of the largest (if not THE largest) travelling block of fans which I know the players do deeply appreciate.

Courtesy of Mr Richard Allan

Also, the players themselves are a very tight-knit unit. Tony built this years squad on the back of last years, adding some grit, and picking up characters along the way who have added to the squad.

Another mark of the team, is the lack of dead wood. This is my impression only! I will put that in. In previous years, there has been a couple who you do wonder about. For the Phoenix, in the first year, the undoubted skills of Ed Courteney led to lots of goals, but his work ethic on the ice was questioned regularly. In the end, he left the squad, to take up a job with Pepsi. This years squad has pulled together, and fought for each other. The squad was weakened when the Phoenix lost players to injury. However, the squad pulled together and closed ranks. Together, the squad heaved, and kept things rolling.

Courtesy for Mr Richard Allan

All this backed by the most amazing fans in the league! A vociferous bunch who travel anywhere at the drop of a hat, and back the team to the hilt, and go for a drink after!

Courtesy of Mr Richard Allan

Of course, a final mention has to go to Neil Morris. He stepped up so long ago when Manchester hockey was on the verge of dying. He has been the driving force behind the rebirth. I could keep going and detail what this guy has done. Suffice to say, he is a top bloke. Cant say fairer than that.

Courtesy of Mr Richard Allan

And to me. What was I doing with all this going on? Well, as the celebrations got into full swing in Manchester, the Manchester Phoenix Supporters Club (Japan) was sat at my girlfriends place at 4 in the morning with a massive grin softly giggling to myself. Whilst I was not wrapped up in the euphoria of the moment, given all the bad news I have been deluged with here in Japan, it was fantastic to see my team win! 

And we get to keep this shiny pot for a year! Oooh! Shiny!

Borrowed from Manchester Phoenix. Simply because its the best picture of the cup I can find. Dont hate me!

Anyway, I cant join the celebrations back in Manchester, but I can relax, forget all the negative stuff, and enjoy a nice local sake. All the while basking in the reflected glow of what has happened back in the Ice Dome.

Note. Most of the pics on here come from the delightful Richard Allan, more examples of his wonderful work can be viewed here. I advise you to go and ogle.