SOLIHULL, UK – With a 100% winning record in their opening nine games this season, the Renault Solihull Barons are already heading for promotion out of ENL North Division 2.
Renault Solihull Barons
Following a 13-3 demolition of second placed Flintshire Freeze last weekend, the West Midlands based Barons have given their fans plenty to shout about so far this campaign. Head Coach Darren Bellerby managed to pull off a transfer coup in the summer when he managed to secure the services of former Great Britain Junior international forward Dean Tonks.
After a tough season in the English Premier League in 2009/10 with the struggling Romford Raiders, Tonks had initially accepted a contract to play in the French Division One, but sadly the deal fell through.
“It all fell apart two weeks before I was supposed to fly out” explained Tonks. “My agent tried to contact some other teams but by then there were no roster spots available”
“However my luck did change and I signed back at Solihull where I am living one mile from the rink and I’ve managed to secure a job in the area too”
Solihull fans may argue that the luck is all theirs, and the statistics would prove them right. Tonks heads the league’s top scorer’s charts with an impressive 21 goals in only six games for the Barons, with 18 assists also to his name. The 21 year old former Telford junior, is not the only member of the Barons squad lighting up the goal lamp. Richard Slater, Erik Bakalar, Rob Eley and Andy Ayers all feature below Tonks in the top ten scorers chart.
Bring out the Tonks (Photo Gary Rogers)
“The guys got off to a good start without me initially” admitted Tonks, who missed the opening fixtures. “Obviously there is a long way to go, but the club are getting really good numbers down to come and watch our games which in turn inspires the team”
“Daz (Bellerby) has us training hard every week and John Butler (Barons Owner) has secured two ice sessions a week, and sometimes three. The lads are a good bunch and when you combine all these factors, it does feel like it’s all worthwhile when you get the wins on the board”
To drop down two tiers from the EPL to ENL North 2 could be seen in some quarters as a waste of talent at such a young age, however Tonks does not lack ambition. His appearance for Elite League outfit Hull Stingrays against Cardiff Devils, was the first action of a two way contract in which Tonks hopes to shine.
“It was great when I got the phone call off Clouts (Stingrays Coach Sylvain Cloutier) to ask me to go to Cardiff” said Tonks. “To play at the top level is something I’ve always wanted to do. After the nerves settled I tried to make the most of the opportunity and did my best to help the team out”
“All being well I will be playing for the Stingrays when I’m not playing for Solihull. Looking ahead, the Elite league is definitely somewhere I want to be in the near future, although I am also keen to give Europe a shot”
Solihull have less lofty ambitions. The Barons are aiming for ENL North Division One, where if promoted they would join the likes of Whitley Warriors, Blackburn Hawks and Trafford Metros. The team narrowly missed out on promotion last season losing a two legged play-off with the afore mentioned Metros, however Tonks and his team mates will be going all out to ensure they secure the league title and go up automatically.
The Barons next home fixture on the 28 November will see them attempt to break their attendance record with a special 2 for 1 ticket promotion for the visit of the Hull based Kingston Jets. With Coventry Blaze playing away, the Barons are hoping that West Midlands hockey fans will come down and check out the table topping Barons in action.
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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