Ghost
Matt Myers
Posts: 1,698
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Post by Ghost on Jun 28, 2011 20:20:49 GMT
BIH Twitter speculating that Tony Smith of Rhino Sports is in the process of replacing Paul Ragan as the owner of the Sheffield Steelers.
Thoughts?
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5+game
Terry Kurtenbach
Posts: 2,974
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Post by 5+game on Jun 28, 2011 20:42:22 GMT
i think he may need his head testing
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Shaggy
Forum Moderator 
Am I a cynical idealist or an idealistic cynic?
Posts: 10,995
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Post by Shaggy on Jun 28, 2011 20:46:26 GMT
i think he may need his head testing Owning the Steelers is a crime. Fortunately, it's also the punishment...  |
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Post by james1977 on Jun 28, 2011 21:31:46 GMT
Well I'd hope that would be the end of play off jerseys being brought from Rhino. Can't really have league money falling directly into the pocket of a team owner.
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5+game
Terry Kurtenbach
Posts: 2,974
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Post by 5+game on Jun 28, 2011 21:37:56 GMT
Well I'd hope that would be the end of play off jerseys being brought from Rhino. Can't really have league money falling directly into the pocket of a team owner. Cmon james this is the elite league were talking about, there more likely to try and make all teams wear rhino shirts. |
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Post by james1977 on Jun 28, 2011 21:47:37 GMT
Well I'd hope that would be the end of play off jerseys being brought from Rhino. Can't really have league money falling directly into the pocket of a team owner. Cmon james this is the elite league were talking about, there more likely to try and make all teams wear rhino shirts. I don't think the EIHL would be that brazen. They'd probably buy from a sub-brand of Rhino, brought through an off-shore agent. Jerseys made by 'SSS'. |
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Post by sanjosefan on Jun 28, 2011 22:01:48 GMT
After hearing about the past of the Steelers, with all these dodgy owners. The more they drag British Ice Hockey down. They seem to be an unsustainable club.
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Post by Heanor Lair on Jun 28, 2011 22:06:02 GMT
Well I'd hope that would be the end of play off jerseys being brought from Rhino. Can't really have league money falling directly into the pocket of a team owner. But Panthers buy their jerseys from a company owned by a sub-standard EIHL referee Anything is possible  HL |
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Post by james1977 on Jun 28, 2011 22:21:28 GMT
Well I'd hope that would be the end of play off jerseys being brought from Rhino. Can't really have league money falling directly into the pocket of a team owner. But Panthers buy their jerseys from a company owned by a sub-standard EIHL referee Anything is possible HL Ah but referees are neutral parties and completely unbiased........... ....or something. |
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Post by GuinnessMan on Jun 29, 2011 5:29:52 GMT
Ice hockey: Paul ragan pledges his future to Cardiff Devils by Terry Phillips, Western Mail PAUL RAGAN has pledged 100 per cent commitment to Cardiff Devils – and has turned away from Elite League ice hockey rivals Sheffield Steelers. Millionaire Ragan has handed over control of Steelers to Yorkshire businessman Tony Smith, who runs Rhino Sports Manufacturers, and today pledged: “Going forward, my commitment will be 100 per cent to Cardiff Devils.” That move will delight Devils fans who had been dismayed that the two rival clubs had come together within the same organisation last season. Ragan will be working full-time with the Devils organisation now as he seeks to put difficult times off the ice behind the club. Rink Corp, the parent company for both Steelers and Devils, went into liquidation and the two clubs, who finished first and second in Elite League last season, are now under the control of separate companies. Ragan described the last couple of months as ‘among the worst of my life’ and will now commit to ensuring Cardiff Devils have a highly-competitive Elite team again. Player-coach Gerad Adams and bench coach Neil Francis are working on player recruitment, with six more import players to bring in – and the new season is more than two months away from starting over the first weekend in September. Ragan said of his decision to make the Cardiff and Sheffield clubs independent of each other again: “Following events of the past few weeks, I have taken a decision to commit 100 per cent of my time going forward to Cardiff Devils. “Running two clubs has been a challenge to say the least and I do not consider it fair on either sets of fans to split my time or loyalties. “I will retain a silent equity stake in the Sheffield Steelers, but going forward all control will be handed over to Tony Smith.” Read More www.walesonline.co.uk/sports/ice-hockey-news/2011/06/29/ice-hockey-paul-ragan-pledges-his-future-to-cardiff-devils-91466-28959409/#ixzz1QdjVDbKx |
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Post by GuinnessMan on Jun 29, 2011 6:11:51 GMT
Statement from Paul Ragan
Statement from Paul Ragan
Following events of the past few weeks, I have taken a decision to commit 100% of my time going forward to the Cardiff Devils.
The running of two clubs has been a challenge to say the least, and I do not consider it fair on either set of fans to split my time or loyalties.
I will retain a silent equity stake in the Sheffield Steelers, but going forward all control will be handed over to Tony Smith.
Tony will address the Fans Forum on Thursday in Sheffield and I wish him, the players and all the supporters a successful season next year.
I have worked with Tony closely over the past few months, and his commitment and professionalism is exactly what the club has been missing for many years at the helm.
Both clubs were inherited by me last year, and were totally unsustainable in there previous trading state.
Going forwards my commitment will be 100% to Cardiff and Tony will be 100% to Sheffield.
We look forward to doing battle next year, and I would like to thank all fans and sponsors of both clubs for the goodwill they have shown to me and my management team over the past 6-12 months.
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Post by GuinnessMan on Jun 29, 2011 6:24:12 GMT
And Tony Smith In .....
Tony Smith Takes Over the Steelers
Posted on June 29, 2011 by David.Simms
Smith to take charge of his Local Team
Sheffield born businessman Tony Smith has dealt with several previous Steelers owners whilst running his marketing and sports clothing business Rhino Sports – Now he has to do what they couldn’t, and make the Sheffield Steelers a stable business as well as the Country’s leading Ice Hockey side.
“Its a challenge, but one my self and my family are up for” said Smith, aged 57
“What the fans of this club have been through year on year is outrageous and starting from today it ends. This club can be stable and we will ensure that it is. Its a fine balance between that stability that as Steelers supporters we all strive for and on ice success that we have become used to. I’m positive that with me running the business side and Ryan Finnerty the hockey side we will combined well and take this club forward
“It’s been a busy few days since I put forward my plan to take full control. We have many people to talk too, many people to satisfy and much work to-do as the season is only a couple of months away. Ryan and the players have been remarkable, we have reiterated to Ryan that his position and that of his players is solid and they have our full confidence going forward. Ryan is enthusiastic and we hope to complete the signing of the squad shortly
“Off the ice we have a big fans forum on Thursday where I’m sure the supporters will want to know my plans. We also are speaking with sponsors, the Arena, the Elite League as well as many trading partners to confirm that the Steelers mean business both on and off the ice.
“I thank the Supporters Club who upon being advised of the change of ownership offered me their full support. The support of their members is imperative if we are to strive to take this club forward and succeed. We need the fans to believe in us and support us. We know we have to earn that trust and we will do so.
“I started watching the Steelers in the mid 90′s and the sport took a hold of me. My family have been Steelers fans ever since and my business in many ways is linked to the Steelers and many other ice hockey clubs in the UK. This is the right time for me to be involved. The Steelers need a local man at the helm taking this great Sheffield sporting club forward.
“Supporters, sponsors, landlords, media and the British ice hockey world need a strong and stable Steelers owned and controlled in Sheffield. I believe that I can deliver that with the support of many around me and the people of South Yorkshire supporting us”
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Mythosman
Matt Myers
Age is a big price to pay for maturity!
Posts: 1,661 
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Post by Mythosman on Jun 29, 2011 7:32:37 GMT
Yet another bright new dawn for the Steelers <yawn!>.
I bet Ragan is sleeping easier now he doesn't have to face the Fans Forum tomorrow night - they would probably have lynched him!!
"We also are speaking with sponsors, the Arena, the Elite League as well as many trading partners to confirm that the Steelers mean business both on and off the ice."[/i]
I presume this means they are trying to find a bus company within 100 miles of Sheffield that will take them anywhere without payment up front!
"The Steelers need a local man at the helm taking this great Sheffield sporting club forward."[/i]
IIRC, previous local men at the helm have only succeeded in steering the good ship Steelers towards oblivion. It may be worth tossing the Brummie ship rat overboard though!
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abi
Jim Keyes
Posts: 899
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Post by abi on Jun 29, 2011 8:15:33 GMT
I don't care who owns the Steelers as long as they have a stable, long term plan to make sure this kind of drama doesn't happen every off season.
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Post by Rob Scott on Jun 29, 2011 8:16:31 GMT
I don't care who owns the Steelers as long as they have a stable, long term plan to make sure this kind of drama doesn't happen every off season. ;D ;D ;D |
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