NIHL Feature – Sutton owner Ian Johnson speaks about Stings progress

DURHAM, UK – NIHL North Division 1 newcomers Sutton Sting are proving that they can hold their own in the top league this season. Sting have only lost 2 of their opening 7 league games which sees Sutton comfortably in mid table as they are in 5^th position in the standings with 6 points. Sutton have also enjoyed some success in the East/West Trophy picking up an away victory at established Division 1 side Whitley Warriors.
Sting owner/coach Ian Johnson recently gave us his views on how Sutton came into existence and how they have progressed over recent years.
“ The Club was taken from an idea in 2004 to an EIHA Affiliated Club in 2006.
“The progress that has been achieved at both junior and senior levels is exceptional, considering the limited ice resources we have as a club, and the fact that 95% of our kids had never skated before they took to the Ice in 2006, let alone having any idea about ice hockey.”
Ian went to speak of how Sting achieved promotion from North 2 into the top division last season
“We worked really hard both last year and the year before finishing 2nd both seasons in succession. Last year really felt like it was going to be our turn, the lads worked so hard through the back end of the season, and in preparation for the play off against Nottingham.
“I scouted a few games at Nottingham leading up to the playoffs, and looking back, honestly I really knew deep down it was Nottingham who would need to bring something special over the 2 games.”

The Sutton Sting owner then spoke of where he would like his side to be in 5 years time.
“The first step is to become an established team in NIHL1 being able to compete week in and week out, and at the same time look to bring through our youngsters into senior hockey at a good level. Once this is established, my next aim would be to bring in an NIHL2 team beneath us and develop our senior brand across both leagues.
“(With regards to the) EPL I have already put my toe well and truly into the water back when we took the Sheffield Scimitars on from Martin Birch. The only way Sutton Sting would enter the EPL would be when we have a suitable venue of our own, and I can’t see that in the next 5 years, 10 years possibly.”
Ian then spoke of Sutton’s ‘home’ rink which is deemed too small to host competitive hockey and Ice Sheffield which the club use for all of their home fixtures.

“The Back Yard Rink at Sutton received a restricted use status regarding sanctioned games from the EIHA. We can only play junior games up to and including U14’s which is probably the right decision. The year before last we did a joint promotion with the Sheffield Steelers and played a 3 on 3 game in front of almost 700 fans, it was shall we say …..’Scary’ It simply isn’t big enough.
“Ice Sheffield is an amazing venue which was lottery funded for the local area to be available to everyone. I was born and raised in Rotherham so I see Ice Sheffield as my home rink, regardless of whether the Steelers, Steeldogs, Spartans or the Sting are playing there. The staff there are fully supportive to all of their customers and they give everyone the same opportunities regarding ice time and deliver an excellent service to my club.”
Ian then went to speak about Sutton’s season up to now and whether his side had surprised him at all by how competitive they have been especially against 2 of the division’s top sides picking up a victory away from home against the Whitley Warriors and securing a draw at home versus the Billingham Stars.
“This season so far has been painful, mainly due to the lack of available players. I lost Ben Lowe in our pre-season challenge game against Chelmsford, this was back in August and he hasn’t skated since, Ben scored the hatrick at the NIC to send the Lions down and is a massive loss to the team.
“We then lost Butterworth, Spurr, Thurston, Sayer and Offord all through injury so we have yet to start a game with 3 lines let alone the 4 that I signed pre-season. That said we have at least 3 of these players back this week end so I am expecting further improvements.
“It hasn’t been that surprising, last year we were the same but we didn’t have the depth early on with the net minders and it cost us. I retained Alex Birch from last season and signed Alan Levers from Nottingham. Birch will openly admit he found it a difficult transition going from wheels to Steels at the beginning of last year. He is a different net minder this year, he worked so hard last year and his improvement was another massive factor in us beating the Lions. With Birchie, Levers and young Mark Dodd we now have quality, depth, strength and competition for places which has given the team a lift.
“Looking back at the 2 games you mentioned, Whitley was a very sweet victory, we had a short bench, and the lads just stuck to the systems and game plan sure at times we were under pressure but we took our chances and out worked them.
“Billingham are a quality side, who always look to attack, pretty similar to us when we have a full roster, these games are won and loss on the quality of your finishing and the performance of the net minders. The lads worked hard and almost caused an upset being 3 – 2 up with only 2 minutes to play.”
Ian then spoke of his targets for the current campaign and which sides he saw fighting it out for the title come the business end of the season.
“ With the current injury list I have I can only speculate on a play off spot, but if we can either bring in a couple more players, and/or reduce our scratches we will certainly be pushing to take points from Solway and Billingham in future games. Maintaining NIHL1 status is the first hurdle.

“Billingham and Solway are both strong quality teams, with excellent Coaching staff. Whitley can never be written off, but they really didn’t look like top 3 team when we played them. Out of the other 3 teams that we have played I would say Sheffield Spartans are better than Coventry and Blackburn. Telford have yet to show how strong they will be, so I would say the bottom 4 would be Telford, Trafford, Blackburn and Coventry, not in any particular order.”
Just before the interview came to a close Ian spoke about the best players his side have come up against so far this term and his best ever acquisition for his organisation.
“Both the imports from Chelmsford, Sinkovic and Tibor Schneider were quality players, but in our league it would have to 1 of 3. Steve Wallace at Billingham, Nathan Salem of the Solway Sharks and young Myles Dacres who recently signed for Blackburn.
“ There are plenty of quality guys who have come through the team whilst I have been coaching, however the answer is simple, Simon Butterworth. No none-sense committed player who has already forgotten more about the game than most players will ever learn. He is a great team guy who brings so much to both the senior and junior club a top bloke.”
Thanks to Ian for taking the time out to speak about his Sutton Sting side and we wish them all the best for the remainder of the current campaign.
Images courtesy of Ian Johnson
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com