For a
rundown on Sheffield Steelers history from day 1 click here
AUGUST 1995 (20
yrs)
Despite the
battering and the facial cuts he took last season, Ken Priestlay came back,
saying “this is going to be some year”.
Sheffield Steelers have almost reached their season ticket target for next season months before the action starts again. The club riding on the back of a double championship had sold 2,645 season tickets already. That compared with the 2,683 they sold on the first day of last season.
Andre Malo joined old favourite Tim Cranston, who has re-signed, in a public ceremony in Orchard Square where more than 1,000 fans turned up for the event. The Sheffield Steelers today shook the ice hockey world to its foundations by pulling off the sport's biggest ever double signing of the Edinburgh Racers Tony Hand and the Cardiff Devils Nicky Chinn.
Wayne Cowley, netminder, has agreed financial terms with Steelers.
Tony Hand revealed that Edinburgh Racers were now demanding compensation for him despite the club being scratched from the British League and his teammates having gone their separate ways. Now it's believed that Racers directors have put a £20,000 price-tag on Hand's head which would set a British record.
Hand sorted out the hitch himself and such was the power of his argument that the Scots backed down and not a penny was paid by Sheffield.
Sheffield Steelers have been forced to stop using the Thunderbirds theme tune, the Arena has warned the club they maybe infringing copyright, and ordered them to come up with something else.
Dave Simms quipped "This is diabolical. I'm taking this all the way to the top, I've asked Parker to have a word in the ear of Lady Penelope."
The pre-season began with a novel new hockey tournament of four teams in Milton Keynes, Bladerunner Arena in front of capacity crowds with the Manchester Storm and Nottingham Panthers joining the hosts - Milton Keynes Kings - as Sheffield Steelers, now beating everyone before them, ran out eventual undefeated winners: scoring twenty two goals in the process.
Priestlay got 4+3 in the first game, with Hand scoring 2+5, perhaps they were trying to outdo one another.
Ken Priestlay was voted player of the tournament
In the Benson and Hedges cup they played two games in Swindon and Peterborough, both resulting in resounding victories, one of them by no less than eighteen clear goals.
Sheffield Steelers have almost reached their season ticket target for next season months before the action starts again. The club riding on the back of a double championship had sold 2,645 season tickets already. That compared with the 2,683 they sold on the first day of last season.
Andre Malo joined old favourite Tim Cranston, who has re-signed, in a public ceremony in Orchard Square where more than 1,000 fans turned up for the event. The Sheffield Steelers today shook the ice hockey world to its foundations by pulling off the sport's biggest ever double signing of the Edinburgh Racers Tony Hand and the Cardiff Devils Nicky Chinn.
Wayne Cowley, netminder, has agreed financial terms with Steelers.
Tony Hand revealed that Edinburgh Racers were now demanding compensation for him despite the club being scratched from the British League and his teammates having gone their separate ways. Now it's believed that Racers directors have put a £20,000 price-tag on Hand's head which would set a British record.
Hand sorted out the hitch himself and such was the power of his argument that the Scots backed down and not a penny was paid by Sheffield.
Sheffield Steelers have been forced to stop using the Thunderbirds theme tune, the Arena has warned the club they maybe infringing copyright, and ordered them to come up with something else.
Dave Simms quipped "This is diabolical. I'm taking this all the way to the top, I've asked Parker to have a word in the ear of Lady Penelope."
The pre-season began with a novel new hockey tournament of four teams in Milton Keynes, Bladerunner Arena in front of capacity crowds with the Manchester Storm and Nottingham Panthers joining the hosts - Milton Keynes Kings - as Sheffield Steelers, now beating everyone before them, ran out eventual undefeated winners: scoring twenty two goals in the process.
Priestlay got 4+3 in the first game, with Hand scoring 2+5, perhaps they were trying to outdo one another.
Ken Priestlay was voted player of the tournament
In the Benson and Hedges cup they played two games in Swindon and Peterborough, both resulting in resounding victories, one of them by no less than eighteen clear goals.
AUGUST 2000 (20
yrs)
Mike Blaisdell had inherited part
of Don McKee’s team and wanted defence and toughness so he set about recruiting
his own team.
Steelers kept their most important close season promise today, by re-signing the man who puts the backbone into the team. Muscleman Dennis Vial wanted by teams across the world, agreed a new one-year-deal with the Steelers, and they made him captain.
Ed Courtenay quits the Steelers. Blaisdell prepared to offer long-time target Rick Brebant assistant coach's role to lure him to Steelers. Steelers break own rules to offer McCosh extended deal.
Ed Courtenay dropped the gloves to launch a savage attack on Sheffield Steelers bosses David Simms and Mike Blaisdell. The Ayr bound winger is furious that Sheffield have publicly justified their actions in refusing him a two year deal by blaming salary demands and unreasonable conditions.
Steelers announce the signing of Steve Carpenter from Nottingham Panthers and two great signings: Rick Brebant from Manchester Storm, and Steve Roberts from Nottingham Panthers.
They also pulled off a spectacular signing coup today by landing formerNHL
goalie Mike O'Neill.
Sports Boss Darren Brown resurrected the spectre of building a new purpose-built stadium for both Steelers and Sharks. The businessman may jet to America to study proposals by a company to erect a building for both parties. It is a plan for a minimum 6,500 seater, first thought off in the early days of Steelers, under Ronnie Wood.
Thanks for all the memories say sacked skipper Rob Wilson. After six seasons patrolling the Arena blue line, Wilson was deeply hurt by his release in favour of a younger defence.
Veteran ice hockey Scott Metcalfe signed for the Steelers and they take a chance on Paul Beraldo, the Canadian has a rocket shot and a tough aggressive streak says Simms.
The position of backup goalie is going to Mike Torchia, a 28 year-old from Toronto.
A Sports marketing firm which has acquired half of Newcastle Superleague ice hockey club could buy Sheffield Steelers. The Eye Group, which describes itself as a sports exploitation company, is poised to make a cash offer to Steelers owner Darren Brown.
Steelers today confirmed they had received a "very attractive offer" from a company wanting to buy the club, it believed from Eye for £1,000,000 pounds.
A Bitter row broke out today after Sheffield International Venues locked Sheffield Steelers personal out of their own merchandising store. Steelers, now thought to be on an even keel, financially owe around £5,000 rent for the building opposite the Sheffield Arena on Broughton.
Steelers kept their most important close season promise today, by re-signing the man who puts the backbone into the team. Muscleman Dennis Vial wanted by teams across the world, agreed a new one-year-deal with the Steelers, and they made him captain.
Ed Courtenay quits the Steelers. Blaisdell prepared to offer long-time target Rick Brebant assistant coach's role to lure him to Steelers. Steelers break own rules to offer McCosh extended deal.
Ed Courtenay dropped the gloves to launch a savage attack on Sheffield Steelers bosses David Simms and Mike Blaisdell. The Ayr bound winger is furious that Sheffield have publicly justified their actions in refusing him a two year deal by blaming salary demands and unreasonable conditions.
Steelers announce the signing of Steve Carpenter from Nottingham Panthers and two great signings: Rick Brebant from Manchester Storm, and Steve Roberts from Nottingham Panthers.
They also pulled off a spectacular signing coup today by landing former
Sports Boss Darren Brown resurrected the spectre of building a new purpose-built stadium for both Steelers and Sharks. The businessman may jet to America to study proposals by a company to erect a building for both parties. It is a plan for a minimum 6,500 seater, first thought off in the early days of Steelers, under Ronnie Wood.
Thanks for all the memories say sacked skipper Rob Wilson. After six seasons patrolling the Arena blue line, Wilson was deeply hurt by his release in favour of a younger defence.
Veteran ice hockey Scott Metcalfe signed for the Steelers and they take a chance on Paul Beraldo, the Canadian has a rocket shot and a tough aggressive streak says Simms.
The position of backup goalie is going to Mike Torchia, a 28 year-old from Toronto.
A Sports marketing firm which has acquired half of Newcastle Superleague ice hockey club could buy Sheffield Steelers. The Eye Group, which describes itself as a sports exploitation company, is poised to make a cash offer to Steelers owner Darren Brown.
Steelers today confirmed they had received a "very attractive offer" from a company wanting to buy the club, it believed from Eye for £1,000,000 pounds.
A Bitter row broke out today after Sheffield International Venues locked Sheffield Steelers personal out of their own merchandising store. Steelers, now thought to be on an even keel, financially owe around £5,000 rent for the building opposite the Sheffield Arena on Broughton.
AUGUST 2005 (10yrs)
The Star Sheffield Steelers got
the news they most wanted to hear, mercurial centreman Mike Peron has
recommitted for another season.
For a fifth season they retained the services of forward Mark Dutiaume and brought in Martin Masa, the Czech who had got 46 points for Bracknell last season. They also gave a debut to Rodney Sarich from Augusta Lynx in the ECHL. They retained the services of Englishman Paul Sample and brought in Swedish defenceman Jonas Lennartson from Italy. They also poached Nottingham-born wingman Warren Tait from Cardiff Devils. But probably the biggest coup was getting netminder Jody Lehman, who backstopped the Coventry Blaze to a play off victory the season before.
Controversial ice hockey entrepreneur Bob Phillips declared himself the new owner of Sheffield Steelers. Phillips, who like Lea has had run-ins with hockey fans, says he and his company Arena Sports Cardiff are the new owners.
For a fifth season they retained the services of forward Mark Dutiaume and brought in Martin Masa, the Czech who had got 46 points for Bracknell last season. They also gave a debut to Rodney Sarich from Augusta Lynx in the ECHL. They retained the services of Englishman Paul Sample and brought in Swedish defenceman Jonas Lennartson from Italy. They also poached Nottingham-born wingman Warren Tait from Cardiff Devils. But probably the biggest coup was getting netminder Jody Lehman, who backstopped the Coventry Blaze to a play off victory the season before.
Controversial ice hockey entrepreneur Bob Phillips declared himself the new owner of Sheffield Steelers. Phillips, who like Lea has had run-ins with hockey fans, says he and his company Arena Sports Cardiff are the new owners.
AUGUST 2010 (20yrs)
A
SYNOPSYS OF A TURBULENT CLOSE SEASON:
Sheffield Steelers ice hockey
club's operating company is going bust. The Star can reveal today. Yorkshire
Sport(YS) called Insolvency Practitioners Wilson Fields after becoming unable
to pay their debts. There is an underlying dispute relating to a sponsorship,
but all player wages have been paid. There is confusion over exactly what
happened to season ticket money paid by fans before the collapse of Sheffield
Steelers operating company Yorkshire Sport (YS).
Steelers owner Bob Phillips last
night assured 200 fans that a "little bit of a hiccup", his
description of the liquidation of the club's operating company, would not
endanger their season ticket money. Speaking at a forum at Abbeydale Sports
Club he said "The money is in safe hands”. Phillips accepted there had
been a 'mis-wording' on Steelers website that the money had been "ring
fenced" from the liquidator, explaining the cash was in a Steelers ‘trust
account’ which could not be touched.
Steelers’ owner Bob Phillips has
been stunned by the resignation of almost his entire staff.
Co-founder Dave Simms, who has
piloted the club since 1991, coach Dave Matsos and general manager Mike
O'Connor have all refused to work with Phillips, following the liquidation of
two operating companies running the club in the last five years.
A joint statement read, "It
is with sadness and regret that the management team on O'Connor, Matsos and
Simms have decided to resign from the club with immediate effect. They will be
joined by office manager Betty Waring and promotions and marketing assistant
Luke McDonald. O'Connor, Matsos and Simms advised Bob Phillips of their
decision on Wednesday.
Sheffield Steelers is up for sale. Owner Bob Phillips has agreed to sell Steelers after weeks of criticism from fans, sponsors and creditors. A stumbling block may be how much Phillips wants for the club he bought for around £200,000 from Norton Lea, the former Chesterfield FC owner.
Sheffield Steelers is up for sale. Owner Bob Phillips has agreed to sell Steelers after weeks of criticism from fans, sponsors and creditors. A stumbling block may be how much Phillips wants for the club he bought for around £200,000 from Norton Lea, the former Chesterfield FC owner.
Sheffield Steelers owner Bob
Phillips is blaming the management team that walked out on him of being guilty
of incidents of poor administration and financial bungling. Bob Phillips, who
is selling the club after two Steelers operating companies went into
liquidation, earlier promised hundreds of fans at a public forum in Abbeydale
that their 2010/11 season ticket money was safely held in a "Trust
account". But, last week, Phillips was forced to write to fans saying that
'volunteers' in the club office had now discovered that season ticket money HAD
gone into YS by mistake and "against strict instructions". Cheques made
out by fans to Sheffield Steelers had been banked in YS trading as Sheffield
Steelers he admitted “sadly that money is now lost to the club forever”
Steelers’ owner
Bob Phillips is turning to one time Cardiff Devils compatriot Troy Walkington
as a possible new Sheffield coach. With Steve Munn turning him down this week,
Phillips needs to find someone to run the 2010/11 team, and help him with some
administrative tasks as he attempts to sell the club.
Then Bob Phillips
says he has taken the club off the market and also signed a new player coach.
The Welshman says ex NHL centre
Ben Simon will take over coaching reins from Dave Matsos. While the player has
yet to sign a contract, Phillips said Simon was a "100 per cent
certainty" to join up.
Steelers’ owner
Bob Phillips stepped down today. He said he was walking away from duties as non
executive chairman and his wife Maraini would be general manager of the club.
We have an outstanding player in Ben Simon coming in to take over as
player/coach and a well respected explayer in Neil Abel running the bench, Ben
has been in contact with most of the players and has been given their
commitment to return.
BUTNOW BACK TO AUGUST.
BUT
Sheffield
Steelers have yet to sign an agreement for ice time at the Arena for the season
which starts with a home game in 34 days time. Recently, owner Bob Phillips
admitted the club's relationship with their landlords was "not
great".
Dave Simms told
nearly 200 fans at a forum in Dronfield this week that he had been
"gutted" to quit alongside general manager Mike O'Connor and coach
Dave Matsos, but he still felt it had been the right thing to do. Simms made a
number of other public criticisms, but also went out of his way to persuade
fans to continue to support the club. "Owners come and go, but fans should
support the shirt. We, the fans, own the hockey club, not any one person. Ben
Simon comes across well and has my support."
Ben Simon began
the season as player/coach and began recruiting immediately, his job made
easier by the fact that Dave Matsos had already signed the bulk of the squad.
Free-scoring
partners Joey Talbot came and Jeff Legue came back for a fourth term and they
were to be helped by Ashley Tait returning for a second stint with Sheffield
after trying Italy for a year. Neil Clark, an import forward from Wichita
Thunder in the CHL , joined
Steelers to bolster the forward line as did Great Britain international Robert
Dowd.
Rob Globke
came in from Krefeld in the DEL
and with the ‘British Bulldog’ Jason Hewitt returning Steelers had a handy mix
of forwards.
Jerramie Domish and Kevin Bolibruck came in to shore up
the defence along with Steve Munn.
But, perhaps the key signing, was netminder Ervin Mustokovs tempted from Latvia
to start with Geoff Woolhouse backing him up.
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