BRISTOL, UK – Bristol Pitbulls’ pre season training started last week, but it’s not just on the ice where the preparations are in full flow.
Pitbulls action (Photo by flyfifer.co.uk)
Bristol supremo Richie Hargreaves has had a busy summer transforming his ENL 2 championship winning side, into a team capable of holding their own in ENL 1 this year. The addition of two Swedish imports in Henrik Sahlin and Adam Klasa, along with the re-signings of the likes of Mike Smith, Peter Korff and Mike Hargreaves have given Pitbulls fans hope their team can make an impact.
Another new face to Frogmore Street is a familiar one to most ENL hockey fans. Alan Armour spent last season with Cardiff ENL Devils and says he joined the team with mixed emotions:
“I had always said to Richie if he got promoted we would talk” said Armour. “If I am honest I really didn’t want to leave Cardiff and had it been a little closer I probably would have stayed, I really enjoyed last year and it was a tough decision as Cudd (Coach Mark Cuddihy) wanted me back too. He understands my position though and I wish them luck this season,
“I also had calls from three other teams which was nice, but it was only ever a choice between Bristol and Cardiff, with Bristol winning the logistical battle. Richie has it all going on at Bristol, it’s new so there is boundless enthusiasm and interest which suits me”
That enthusiasm was needed early on this summer. The ink was not yet dry on his registration form, when Hargreaves gave him a pre-season task with a difference. A long standing issue with the rink was the fact that the showers were not attached to the locker room, so Armour was asked to use his off-ice skills to sort it out:
Locker room transformed
“Richie told me they had a large area we could use (for the room)” Armour explained. “I drew up plans, estimated costs and basically just assembled a group of workers to get going,
“It was mainly Mike and Adi Smith, Rich and Mike Hargreaves along with myself. Young Dan Mann, Ozzy (Steve Osman) and Joe Lock pitched in too, there were no real slackers but the worst job of measuring and marking straight level shelves I have ever seen by Dan and Ozzy”
The renovation of the locker room may be a small touch but the Pitbulls have been enjoying other successes this summer off the ice. Media coverage is strong for the team in Bristol and the team are heavily involved in the local community. This upcoming bank holiday weekend in August will see the team switch their ice skates for roller blades, to play a tournament and raise money for a children’s ward in Southmead Hospital. This type of event is gaining the team exposure in the community and in turn is generating lots of sponsorship interest. It’s a win-win situation and the club recently bought a Pitbulls’ branded car to publicise the team. Armour believes that the car will be an invaluable tool although he isn’t too keen on driving it:
“ The car was bought by the team as an advertising tool” he said. “It works very well and has generated a lot of interest for us. Rich drives it mainly although I am pretty sure any member of the club can drive it. Not sure many will want to drive a left hand drive go kart though,
“It also looks like we are going to be weighed down by sponsor’s patches this year though and I don’t need any additional weight after my lazy summer. Still there is three weeks to go yet”
No parking tickets yet
More good news comes in the form of a recently appointed supporters club. The club will aim to alleviate the pressure on owner Richie Hargreaves and take control of some of the off-ice activities and tasks. It will be difficult for the ‘hands on’ Hargreaves to relinquish some duties but Armour is confident the flamboyant owner will still be using his unique style to better the club:
“I think he (Hargreaves) still plans to wrestle a bear at centre ice at some point” said Armour laughing. “No seriously we have spent loads of time tidying up the rink, new lighting, new signs, new goals, new dressing room and VIP area, just making it a better place to visit which will help. Obviously the key is to have a well promoted team off ice that competes well on the ice too”
On the ice will be what is most important to the Pitbulls. The league will undoubtedly be tough this year and Bristol’s new batch of fans will not be familiar with losing too many matches following their league title winning season last year. Armour believes that the team have nothing to fear:
“Like most teams we have had a summer league with ENL1 and ENL2 players playing every Thursday” said Armour. “Obviously this was always followed by the obligatory summer beer and wings afterwards at O’Neill’s so we haven’t been too harsh on ourselves in the off-season,
“The team will shape up nicely I think, only time will tell really. I am confident we can put up a good show and I think if we play to our strengths we will upset a few teams along the way”
Bristol Pitbulls start their season with a tough opener at home to Cardiff ENL Devils on Saturday 4th September.
Contact the author: david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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