SHEFFIELD, UK – After a summer of turmoil for the Steelers in recent weeks they have found themselves with a new owner and a new positive outlook on their future.
The new man Paul Ragan was quick to re-instate fans favourite David Simms and is believed to have talked to other ex staff members about a return. This has not happened for one reason or another so, not to be disheartened Ragan has instead gone out and found some fresh blood for the backroom staff; fresh blood who shares his passion and drive for the future of this great club and sport.
Ragans’ first new signing is Tony Smith, but he won’t be scoring goals or making saves, he will be investing in the Steelers and the Cardiff Devil brand.
Smith (56) is known throughout the ice hockey circuit as the owner of Sheffield based sportswear manufacturer Rhino Sports, and today has been confirmed as a new shareholder in Rink Corp Ltd, the holding company of both the Steelers and the Devils.
The new owner (Left) and the new blood.
“I’m excited to be getting involved. The Steelers are my club, I’m Sheffield born and bred” said Smith who was born and brought up in the Sheffield area. Smith believes this is the perfect time to be joining not just the Steelers but the sport as a whole “I’ve been around long enough to see owners come and go in Sheffield but I really believe that Paul Ragan will be the difference the Steelers, and Devils, need. He has the Midas touch and also an excellent team of people around him committed to making this project a success. I’m delighted to be joining that team.
Paul Regan acquired the Steelers in December and welcomed Smith on to the Board “It’s important we had a Director on the board based in Sheffield, to find a man like Tony who not only is so local but so experienced and brings such a lot to the table is good news for the whole club and business.
“Tony will bring further credibility to the team, he has experience in ice hockey, a great knowledge of merchandising and sales and marketing because this is where we are focusing all of our attention on at the minute. We are only going to get people back here if we concentrate on the marketing. What goes hand in hand with that of course is the match night production. We are looking to drive merchandise sales significantly and of course Tony will play a major role in all of that”
Smith also sees the bigger picture nationwide “I also see a change in the sport as a whole, especially at the Elite League level. Massive changes are a foot there to make the league and the sport a lot more credible. This summer will be a big one for the league, but one sending the sport and the clubs in the right direction”
Smith believes the Steelers will benefit from his experience in the City and the sport “I have 16 years close involvement at the heart of the sport” he explains “of course my expertise is in the sportswear and merchandise area, but it’s bigger than just that, it’s in sales and marketing something the Steelers are in need of right now
“I would also like to think I bring experience and credibility to the table as well. I believe in ethics in business. That’s one of the reasons I am delighted to be joining Paul as I believe we share the same core values, Paul has a long term vision for the club which is exciting and promises to deliver what the fans in Sheffield deserve.
“Fans and sponsors need to know that their club is in safe hands and stable. This isn’t going to be a quick fix here, it will take time but everything we do will be built on firm and solid foundations. I believe that the Steelers have the potential to be the UK’s biggest and best hockey club once again”
When pressed into what changes Smith would like to see at his new Steelers club he is quick to respond “we have to make the whole match night show and entertainment better. From the moment you step out of your car you should know you are at the best show in town. Of course the entertainment of the hockey is important but also what surrounds it. Fans need to be excited about the whole night
“The Steelers once were the most sought after sports ticket in the area, if in 3 years time they are again then we will have done our job and it will all have been worthwhile
“The second thing we need to see is the stability, no bad news stories. Fans and sponsors don’t need happenings outside the club making the news, they need the hockey itself writing the headlines
“The 3rd thing on my wish list is of course success. This is measured in two ways, on and off the ice. Off the ice means stability, rising attendances, a better product, more media attention. On the ice it means winning trophies, moving into Europe and general expansion including closer ties with the junior set up which in years to come we hope will be part of the Steelers Academy. We are already seeing players on the roster who have come through the junior set up and with a lot of goodwill on both sides hope this will continue for many years to come.
“The benefit Sheffield has over many other clubs is the fan base. Right now some of them are either disillusioned or asleep, we have to waken them back up and get them excited for the Steelers again. I’m confident we can fill those arena seats and the future will be bright”
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