BRISTOL, UK – After almost a decade of playing on the road, Bristol Pitbulls finally returned to their home city in style, in front of a sell out crowd at the Cribbs Causeway rink.
A 6-1 win over Romford Jr Raiders was lapped up by the majority of fans in the brand new 1,300 capacity rink, as years of toil and dedication by a hardcore group of supporters and players were justly rewarded. Goalie John Dibble led the squad out on to the ice to raucous cheers from the stands, in what was truly an emotional moment.
Jason Warren had the honour of scoring the first ever goal at the rink with just five minutes on the clock, assisted by Mason Lipsey and Joseph Llewellyn. The Pitbulls didn’t look back and further goals came from Captain Loris Taylor and Tamas Elias with a brace each and a lone effort from Lipsey. Romford’s consolation came from Tjay Anderson.
The winning start to life back in Bristol follows campaigns that have seen the team play out of Oxford, Swindon and other rinks, since the old Frogmore Street closed in 2012 to make way for student accommodation.
It was an especially emotional moment for the Hargreaves brothers Richie and Mike, local heroes who have led the Pitbulls on ice for so many years and have been holding out hope that they’d finally get to skate in their home city again before their ageing bodies denied them.
Dubbed Bristol’s Jackie Moon after the character in the movie Semi Pro, 43 year old Richie Hargreaves is effectively player/GM of the organisation and said after the game:
“I’m not ashamed to say I shed a tear. The build, the last nine years, keeping it on the road and winning trophies. Then behind the scenes with all the council meetings, the many zoom meetings and the last six weeks helping at the rink, it just all caught up with me when the announcer welcomed us onto the ice.
“The whole place shook. We had five days to advertise, sold the place out, and we had to turn people away.
“I’m over the moon for all involved players, loyal fans and even the older players like Steve Couzens who played for the old Bristol teams back in the 1960’s. Seeing him with a smile ear to ear was amazing.
“I was overwhelmed that the rink was so missed and now we can build for the future.”
Bristol Pitbulls next home game is on 13th November when Invicta Dynamos come to town. The rink also hosts the Bristol Huskies women’s team and an NIHL 2 side, showing the intent for the hockey club as a force in the future.
Contact the author: davidcarr_2@hotmail.com
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