Raiders saved

ROMFORD,U.K-Within the last few weeks there had been murmurings that a new management team had got in touch with the owners of Romford Ice Arena and the Venturecore group to discuss the possibility that the Raiders could take to the ice for the 2009-10 season.
It is with great excitement that it has been announced that the Romford Raiders have been saved by a local businessman and long time fan John Scott. Scott had been working hard behind the scenes to secure funding and a management team.

“From my discussions with both Phil Jinks and Lorna Wyrill it was clear that Venturecore wanted senior hockey at Rom Valley Way. That and the absence of any other willing parties left me with little choice but to personally attempt to continue the fantastic work that Snowblades had done over the previous three seasons. Lorna and I agreed a deal very rapidly and once the ink has dried we will start getting next seasons planning underway, with the assistance of coach Jesse Hammill and Mick and Joanne Cahill,” John Scott said “Venturecore have been very easy to deal with and accommodating. It is clear during our discussions that they were keen for senior ice hockey to continue and Lorna Wyrill used to be a supporter of the teams operating out of Gillingham (One of Romford‘s other main rivals are the Invicta Dynamos and previously the Medway Bears). I didn’t hold that against her for very long however and we already seem to have a great rapport that is in both our best interests to continue.” Things are definitely looking positive on and off the ice; however some are still questioning the finances of the operation. Scott responded quickly and to the point. “Funding is an issue for the majority of teams in the EPL and Romford are certainly no different. It has been hard work and It will continue to be hard work. Hard work never hurt anyone,” Scott said “The Raiders fans have been typically passionate about the attempt to save the Raiders, and sponsorship assistance and weekly pledges will hopefully assist us getting through this year. If we can keep the attendances somewhere near those at the end of last season then we will be fine.” Towards the end of the 2008-09 season the Raiders home attendances really picked up and it was mainly down to the on-ice product. At Christmas the team was points adrift at the bottom of the EPL, by the end of the season they were sixth and in the playoffs. “Romford had a great end to last season, putting together a stunning run of 13 unbeaten home games and with Jesse assembling his own squad we are hopeful to start this season where we left off. The crowds are growing, the product on the ice is exciting, and the public are genuinely enjoying and coming back for more. We also have a number of new ideas to bring to the games to improve the entertainment further in an effort to get those all important “bums on seats”.” Scott said “It is an important time for hockey in Romford and the team here have the energy and enthusiasm to help increase the popularity of this great sport. The junior hockey system is now being operated by the rink, and training of the juniors was only interrupted a few days whilst the new management system was put in place. Now that our application to the league is accepted we look to continue the progress made in the last two weeks,” Scott said with a beaming smile, clearly happy at the way things are working out. Scott continued; “Coach Hammill, Manager Mick Cahill and myself have been in regular contact over the last couple of weeks and Jesse has been keeping his finger on the player pulses. The signs are good and I am hopeful that the Romford fans who were so shocked by the announcement a few weeks back will now be able to rest and enjoy their summer in the knowledge that the team is in safe hands. Just when the gardening is getting on their nerves we will announce another player signing. The new season will soon be around,” Scott said There had been many Chelmsford fans trying to get involved in helping keep the team alive and Scott was more than happy to express his thanks to them, while having a light-hearted pop at the club. “I have a great deal of sympathy for the Chelmsford fans. That close to Romford and yet you still keep going to the wrong rink! More seriously I had many well wishing messages from the guys up the A12 and offers of help so thanks to the folks over at ‘the dark side‘. I have known Derek Bartlett (Chieftains director) for many years and I think I was his first sponsor when he ran the Raiders six or so years ago,” Scott said “Bartlett called me when he heard about my plans to see if I had lost my marbles. Whilst my sponsorship work isn’t going too bad I am struggling to get him to repay the deal and sponsor the Raiders now I am running it.” With fighting talk like that there is already growing calls for the return of the hotly contested Essex Cup between the Chelmsford Chieftains and Romford Raiders. “As a fan, I thoroughly enjoyed the Essex Cup games, especially the ones we won. There is a great rivalry, most of the players have appeared for the opposition, but the cup has come to mean a little less in recent years. I would suspect that ice time availability would make it incredibly difficult to fit in a weekend game, and mid week ice is often no easier. It is not out of the question but there are plenty of factors to account for first,” Scott said “Bartlett and I spoke again today about it, and if it can be done, the Essex Cup will be back on the fixture list.” Contact the author at  Pete.lewis@prohockeynews.com