LONDON, UK – New faces, new teams and new opportunities are the name of the game as the ENL South continues to evolve. Prohockeynews columnist David Carr looks at progress so far.
As the FIFA world cup continues to dominate everyone’s thoughts in the UK, the teams in ENL South have not been distracted in building their rosters for the coming season. There have been variations on the style of releasing names to fans and this certainly has brought its own issues.
Armour rolls into Bristol on his tractor
League new boys Bristol Pitbulls recently announced the signings of Ian Clark, Ali Band and Alan Armour (as was hinted on Prohockeynews a couple of weeks ago). Bristol is one of the few rinks in the UK I have not visited so I am looking forward to seeing what it is like. One of my team mates once described it as ‘similar in appearance to Chernobyl’ but I am sure it can’t be that bad. All three of these guys have played on the same team as me at some point and they are good characters to have in the locker room.
Milton Keynes Thunder have added more names to their marquee signings with the return of Jamie Randall along with Paul ‘Poke-check’ Gore and David Coffey. Randall in particular will be a big boost to the team with his diminutive style. Gore recently described himself as the ‘Iron Curtain’ on popular social networking site Facebook, which is rather bizarre given that the Soviet Union hardly ended in success. I look forward to seeing what other nicknames come out of the Thunder camp however I am guessing most won’t be printable.
Chelmsford have now released a sizeable number of signings for the coming season with goalie Euan King the latest to join the Essex outfit. They also announced a link up with EPL side Slough Jets, which is a positive or negative move depending on who you listen too. I personally don’t see the harm in it but bearing in mind both clubs were competing in the same league only a few years ago, its shows just how quickly times change in British hockey that the Chieftains are now effectively a feeder club to the Jets.
The Iron Curtain Gore (Photo by petemagnusenphotography.com)
Oxford City Stars have been very quiet in the last couple of weeks however Coach Ken Forshee has hinted that he may have some news for fans next week. I was pleased to hear that team manager Gary Dent’s legendary leather jacket made a welcome return at the EIHA AGM last week. Rumours that it has been worn non-stop since the Stars formation in 1984 have never been confirmed, although it was not on display towards the end of last season (Gary sported a similar style canvas effort). Most clubs hang retired shirts from the rafters however I think the jacket should be hoisted to the ceiling at Oxpens Road if it has been ditched.
Invicta continue to drip feed their signings to fans and have recently announced the return of Anthony Lennon to their blue line along with new faces in the form of goalie Mark Hartley from Nottingham Panthers and Adam Copland from Chelmsford Chieftains. The news that Mike Timms is also heading for the Ice Bowl was inadvertently leaked on the Romford Raiders online forum by Raiders owner ‘Ollie’ Oliver, however it had already been noted by fans on the Dynamos forum that Timms had turned up for trials. Speaking of the Ice Bowl, I have heard that the whole place is being refurbished so I eagerly await a visit to the away team locker room. Regular readers will recall me bemoaning the woeful conditions in there last season and I look forward to the temperature controlled power showers in 2010/11. The verucca picked up there last year at least motivated me to buy some flip flops.
Romford Raiders seem to be developing a tasty squad for the season ahead, that I am sure their excitable fans will approve of. Jason Buckman, Tyrone Miller and JJ McGrath rejoin the team but more surprisingly were the transfers of Grant Baxter, Adam Smith and Anthony Leone from Invicta. I know that Invicta have lost a lot of guys this summer but I think it is worth remembering that they had over four lines of players last season. They can afford to lose a few bodies as long as they recruit well. I think it will do Grant and Adam the world of good to have a change of scene and it will be interesting to see how they get on in unfamiliar colours.
Vandals welcome Invicta trio to Romford
Wightlink’s webmaster is the most relaxed man in British Hockey now that the Raiders roster is fully published and announced. It is safe to say that he will not need to update the news section unless Coach Jeremy Cornish does something eventful on his upcoming trip to the Glastonbury Festival. What odds on the big Canadian getting involved in a scrap with hot headed former Guns and Roses guitarist Slash? The crazy guy in the Top Hat is scheduled to appear on the Sunday so keep an eye out for any black eyes courtesy of Roddas Cornish Clotted Cream sponsored Cornish.
If there is one name that Microsoft Word’s spell checker dislikes more than any other it has to be Streatham’s new signing Jack Tarczycki. He has been joined at the High Road by Ed Koral, Liam Rasmussen and Casimir Madren-Britton. All four are quality signings and there is optimism abound in South London.
Bracknell Hornets haven’t made any further announcements however they are holding trials very soon, so I am sure Coach Ben Pitchley will announce something shortly. Cardiff initially announced some returnees however have been quiet since. As for Swindon ENL Wildcats, there is still tumbleweed floating out of the Link Centre.
Talking of tumbleweed, what has happened to the Haringey Greyhounds? Now relegated to ENL South Division 2 with no rink (Alexandra Palace closed for refurbishment), no players and now seemingly renamed as North London Hound Dogs, the historic club may have met their end. We await an announcement from team owner Nick Rothwell.
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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