Arena Shows Its Versatility...Sorry...Liam's First Trip To Hull

Last Saturday saw me make my first ever trip to the new UK capital of culture, and my first time at the Most Versatile Venue, as the Steelers took on the Stingrays in Challenge Cup action.

The game...well it was exactly what it was: a game with not much at stake, played professionally (for the most part) with a solid performance from the Steelers resulting in a 2-1 win. There were a couple of on-ice issues, but I will address them later in the week - with no game this week, I can stretch my thoughts out a bit more.

I want to focus on the off-ice stuff.

The trip to the Hull Ice Arena was, for me, truly a reminder of how the other half live.

Apart from last month's trip into the cesspit, I haven't taken in an away game since an Edinburgh double-header when Coach Christiansen was in charge of the Caps. So between the Arena, the NIC, and even Ice Sheffield (which for a small rink is very fancy), I've very much been spoilt with top-of-the-range facilities, good ice (mostly), full view seating and the arena experience (video screens, light shows, quality PA system - even if the guy behind it isn't up to much). Saturday was a reminder of how much hockey is a minority sport here.

I forget from being a fan of an arena team that the small rinks, the vending machines, the player benches and changing rooms being on the same aisles as the fans walk on are the norms in Britain. Stepping foot in the most versatile venue on Saturday took me back instantly to my trip to Murrayfield. And then I remembered that this is ultimately the norm for British ice hockey - Cardiff still play in a tent, for example.

There seemed to be a bit of jibing from some of the Sheffield fans - the height of the light rigs, the way you could pretty much walk onto the home bench, but for me it allowed for an intimacy that you don't get with the bigger clubs - especially noted by the Steelers players bumping fists with Steelers fans who had made their way round the rink at the end of the game - and that you definitely do not get in my other sport of football.

It's also a sign that the sport is not going to grow in the UK unless we discover a good few oligarchs. Even an arena the size of Hull's could not sell out, even with reduced ticket prices, with a strong following from the away team. I understand that teams have to live within their means, but it seems like its always going to be a case of the big clubs will thrive while the little ones simply exist - the success of Dundee being the exception to the rule at present.

Certainly, there seems to be a "its not broken, don't fix it" approach to UK hockey right now. "its working, its bobbing along, don't try to change things because at least we're not falling apart." But should we just accept that? When we could be so much more, why aren't we pushing for it? Football started on empty fields and became a multi-million pound business. Why can't UK hockey, if not reach NHL level, certainly become as successful and as quality as some of our European neighbours?