HISTORY of competition
1) The LEAGUE
ENGLISH CLUB CHAMPIONS
1898 NIAGARA
1899 PRINCES
1900 PRINCES
1901 PRINCES
1902 CAMBRIDGE
1903-04 League
Teams - CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY at knightsbridge rink
PRINCES PLAYING AT 'PRINCES' KNIGHTSBRIDGE
ARGYLL HENGLERS 'NATIONAL SKATING CLUB' RINK -
AMATEUR SKATING CLUB (HENGLERS) at Henglers rink
London Canadians at knightsbridge
Continuation of English Club Champions
1905 PRINCES
1906 PRINCES
1907 OXFORD CANADIANS
1908 PRINCES
1909 PRINCES
1910 OXFORD CANADIANS
1911 OXFORD CANADIANS
1912 PRINCES
1913 OXFORD CANADIANS
1914 PRINCES
1928 UNITED SERVICES
1929 UNITED SERVICES
1929-30 English (Southern) League
GP W D L GF GA Pts
Cambridge University 6 3 2 1 12 10 10
United Services 4 2 1 1 12 11 5
Princes 4 1 1 2 8 9 3
Oxford University 3 1 0 2 6 7 2
*London Lions 3 0 2 1 5 6 2
Schedule was not completed as only 10 games were played. Varsity match was played at St.Moritz for 4 pts.
*After this London Lions actually beat Princes in the ‘Southern Championship’ moving on to meet Glasgow Mohawks (Northern Championship winners having beaten Manchester) for the first British Championship Play-Offs at Golders Green.
1929 Scottish League
SIHA formed members Achtungs, Bearsden, (Champions) Bridge of Wear, Dennistoun, Doonside, Glasgow Canadians, Glasgow Skating Club, Kelvingrove, Queens, Scottish Corrinthians.
Then – Serious hockey was played, each team playing four games and placed to first and second divisions.
1929-30 Scottish League
Out –Canadians and Corinthians
In – Glasgow Uni and Mohawks
1st Div Champs – Mohawks in a 5 team league
2nd Div Champs - Kelvingrove
Scottish seeding method into 2 leagues from this original division
Bearsden 4 8pts
Achtungs 4 7
Queens 4 7
Mohawks 4 4
Bridge of Wear 4 4
Kelvingrove 4 4
Glasgow Skating Club 4 2
Doonside 4 2
Glasgow University 4 1
Dennistoun 4 1
1931 London Lions - leading English club side.
1931 Scottish League
Kelvingrove 8 13pts
Bridge of Weir 8 12
Queens (Glasgow) 8 10
Glasgow Mohawks 7 9
Glasgow University 8 7
Achtungs 7 6
Glasgow Skating Club 8 5
Bearsden 8 5
Dennistoun 8 3
The one result never published cannot be calculated here
1931-32 English League (from 12 games played
Oxford University 24pts
London Lions-Hammersmith 18
Princes and Queens-Bayswater 15
Grosvenor House Canadians-Hotel 15
Manchester 7
Sussex-Hove 5
Cambridge University-Streatham 0
Scottish winners were Glasgow Mohawks
1932-33 English League (from 10 games)
Oxford University 20 pts
Grosvenor House Canadians 16
London Lions 9
Princes and Queens 8
Cambridge University 7
Manchester 0
Scottish winners - Bridge of Wear
1933-34 English League (from 12 games)
Grosvenor House Canadians 22 pts
Queens 20
Oxford University 15
Streatham 15
Warwickshire (Birmingham) 8
Manchester 4
Cambridge University 0
Scottish winners - Kelvingrove
1934-35 English League (from 14 games)
Streatham 25 Pts
Wembley Canadians 23
Wembley Lions 21
Richmond Hawks 17
Queens 13
Oxford University 7
Warwickshire 4
Manchester 2
Scottish Winners - Bridge of wear
1935-36 English League
Wembley Lions
Richmond Hawks
Streatham
Wembley Canadians
Earls Court Rangers
Brighton Tigers
Kensington Corinthians Playing at Earls Court
Scottish Winners - Glasgow Mohawks
1936-37 English League (from 40 games)
Wembley Lions 62 Pts
Harringay Racers 59
Harringay Greyhounds 55
Earls Court Rangers 51
Wembley Monarchs 42
Brighton Tigers 37
Streatham 34
Southampton Vikings* 28
Earls Court Royals 27
Manchester Rapids** 26
Richmond Hawks 19
*Originally Francais Volantes from France
** Originally Paris Rapids from Franc
Scottish Winners - Glasgow Mohawks
1937-38 English League
* HARRINGAY RACERS
2ND WEMBLEY MONARCHS
WEMBLEY LIONS
EARLS COURT RANGERS EMPRESS HALL' EARLS COURT
BRIGHTON TIGERS
HARRINGAY GREYHOUNDS
LAST STREATHAM
Scottish Winners - Perth Panthers
1938-39 English League
* HARRINGAY GREYHOUNDS
2ND WEMBLEY LIONS
BRIGHTON TIGERS
EARLS COURT RANGERS
HARRINGAY RACERS
STREATHAM
WEMBLEY MONARCHS
Scottish Winners - Dundee Tigers
39-40 English League
* HARRINGAY GREYHOUNDS
2ND HARRINGAY RACERS
3RD WEMBLEY MONARCHS
4TH WEMBLEY LIONS
5TH STREATHAM
Scottish Winners - Dundee Tigers
1946-47 English League (from 36 games)
Brighton Tigers 53 Pts
Harringay Racers 45
Wembley Lions 41
Harringay Greyhounds 33
Streatham 33
Wembley Monarchs 29
Nottingham Panthers 18
1946/47 - Scottish League (from 24 games)
PERTH PANTHERS 32 Pts
DUNFERMLINE VIKINGS 29
FIFE FLYERS 26
PAISLEY PIRATES 25
DUNDEE TIGERS 22
AYR RAIDERS 21
FALKIRK LIONS 13
FINAL PLAY-OFFS
VIKINGS BEAT PIRATES
FLYERS BEAT PANTHERS
VIKINGS BEAT FLYERS
WINNERS : DUNFERMLINE VIKINGS
1947-48 English League (from 36 ganes)
Brighton Tigers 49 Pts
Harringay Racers 42
Streatham 38
Wembley Monarchs 33
Wembley Lions 33
Nottingham Panthers 29
Harringay Greyhounds 28
Wembley and Greyhounds played one game for 4 points
1947/48 - Scottish (from 28 games)
EASTERN SECTION
DUNDEE TIGERS 42 Pts
DUNFERMLINE VIKINGS 31
FIFE FLYERS 24
PERTH PANTHERS 12
WESTERN SECTION
PAISLEY PIRATES 34 Pts
AYR RAIDERS 33
FALKIRK LIONS 27
GLASGOW BRUINS 21
(FOR LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP AND ANDERSON TROPHY)
DUNDEE TIGERS 4 AYR RAIDERS 1
AYR RAIDERS 1 DUNDEE TIGERS 6
DUNFERMLINE VIKINGS 8 PAISLEY PIRATES 0
PAISLEY PIRATES 7 DUNFERMLINE VIKINGS 2
DUNFERMLINE VIKINGS 0 DUNDEE TIGERS 1
DUNDEE TIGERS 7 DUNFERMLINE VIKINGS
1948-49 English League (from 28 games)
Harringay Racers 43 Pts
Streatham 32
Harringay Greyhounds 32
Nottingham Panthers 27
Wembley Monarchs 26
Brighton Tigers 22
Earls Court Rangers 21
Wembley Lions 21
1948/49 - Scottish League (from 24 games)
FIFE FLYERS 35 Pts
FALKIRK LIONS 34
DUNFERMLINE VIKINGS 31
PAISLEY PIRATES 23
DUNDEE TIGERS 18
PERTH PANTHERS 18
AYR RAIDERS 09
1949-50 English League (over 30 games)
Nottingham Panthers 39 Pts
Brighton Tigers 38
Wembley Lions 27
Streatham 27
Harringay Racers 25
Earls Court Rangers 24
Scottish League (from 24 games)
FIFE FLYERS 32 Pts
DUNFERMLINE VIKINGS 30
PAISLEY PIRATES 28
FALKIRK LIONS 27
AYR RAIDERS 21
DUNDEE TIGERS 17
PERTH PANTHERS 13
1950-51 English League
Streatham 30 Pts
Wembley Monarchs 28
Harringay Racers 27
Wembley Lions 24
Brighton Tigers 22
Nottingham Panthers 19
Earls Court Rangers 18
Scottish League
PAISLEY PIRATES 49 Pts (from 36 games)
PERTH PANTHERS 44
DUNFERMLINE VIKINGS 43
FALKIRK LIONS 37
AYR RAIDERS 35
FIFE FLYERS 27
DUNDEE TIGERS 17
1951-52 English League (from 30 games)
Wembley Lions 38 Pts
Earls Cour Rangers 35
Streatham 32
Harringay Racers 29
Brighton Tigers 27
Nottingham Panthers 19
Scottish League (from 36 games)
AYR 51 Pts
DUNDEE 44
FALKIRK 41
PERTH 35
DUNFERMLINE 33
PAISLEY 25
FIFE 23
1952-53 English League (from 30 games)
Streatham 45 Pts
Harringay Racers 40
Nottingham Panthers 33
Earls Court Rangers 30
Brighton Tigers 17
Wembley Lions 15
Scottish League (from 28 games)
AYR 33 Pts
DUNFERMLINE 33
PERTH 32
FALKIRK 31
PAISLEY 27
EDINBURGH 26
FIFE 21
DUNDEE 21
1953-54 English League (from 24 games)
Nottingham Panthers 34 Pts
Streatham 33
Harringay Racers 19
Wembley Lions 18
Brighton Tigers 16
Scottish League (from 36 games)
PAISLEY 58 Pts
FALKIRK 44
PERTH 43
EDINBURGH 37
AYR 33
DUNDEE 24
FIFE 13
1954-55 British League (from 40 games)
Harringay Racers 62 Pts
Nottingham Panthers 55
Paisley Pirates 52
Falkirk Lions 49
Wembley Lions 38
Edinburgh Royals 34
Brighton Tigers 32
Perth Panthers 32
Kirkcaldy (Fife Flyers) 29
Dundee Tigers 29
Ayr Raiders 28
1955-56 Britiah League (from 32 games)
Nottingham Panthers 35 Pts
Wembley Lions 35
Paisley Pirates 33
Brighton Tigers 30
Harringay Racers 27
1956-57 British League (from 32 games)
Wembley Lions 41 Pts
Harringay Racers 36
Brighton Tigers 33
Paisley Pirates 26
Nottingham Panthers 24
1957-58 British League (from 32 games)
Brighton Tigers 45 Pts
Nottingham Panthers 35
Harringay Racers 29
Wembley Lions 28
Paisley Pirates 23
1958-59 British League (from 30 games)
Paisley Pirates 36 Pts
Wembley Lions 33
Brighton Tigers 28
Nottingham Panthers 23
1959-60 Britrish League (from 32 games)
Streatham 39
Nottingham Panthers 34
Brighton Tigers 31
Paisley Pirates 31
Wembley Lions 25
Winners of leagues post 1960 were.........
1963 Ayr Rangers (Scottish)- 2 league basis
1964 Fife bt Paisley in PO from two leagues (Scottish)
1965 Paisley bt Fife in PO from two league Scottish format again
1966 Unconfirmed completion of Scots/English leagues
1967 Paisley Mohawks top of a NORTHERN league uncompleted
1968 Paisley Mohawks win NORTHERN league
1969 Paisley Mohawks win NORTHERN league
1970 Murrayfiels Racers (Northern League)
1971 Murrayfield Racers (Northern League)
Sussex senators (Southern League)
1972 Murrayfield Racers (Northern)
Sussex Senators (Southern)
1973 Dundee Rockets (Northern)
Altrincham Aces (Southern)
1974 Whitley Warriors (Northern)
Streatham (Southern)
1975 Whitley Warriors (Northern)
Streatham (Southern)
1976 Murrayfield Racers (Northern)
Altrincham Aces (Midland)
Streatham (Southern)
1977 Fife Flyers (Northern)
Altrincham (Midland)
Streathan (Southern)
1978 Fife Flyers(Northern)
Blackpool Seagulls (Midland)
Solihull Barons (Southern)
1979 Murrayfield Racers (Northern)
Sheffield Lancers (Midland)
Streatham (Inter City League/English league South)
1980 Murrayfield Racers (Northern)
Liverpool Leopards (Midland)
London Pheonix Flyers (ICL/ELS)
1981 Murrayfield Racers (Northern)
Blackpool Seagulls (Midland)
Streatham Redskins (ICL/ELS)
1982 Streatham Erdskins (English League)
Dundee Rockets (Scottish League)
1983 Dundee Rockets/Durham Wasps/Altrincham Aces from British tri-league before Play-Offs
1984 Dundee Rockets - British League Era cont...
1985 Durham Wasps
1986 Durham Wasps
1987 Murrayfield Racers
1988 Murrayfield Racers
1989 Durham Wasps
1990 Cardiff Devils
1991 Durham Wasps
1992 Durham Wasps
1993 Cardiff Devils
1994 Cardiff Devils
1995 Sheffield Steelers
1996 Sheffield Steelers
1997 Cardiff Devils - Super league Era
1998 Ayr Scottish Eagle
1999 Manchester Storm
2000 Bracknell Bees
2001 Sheffield Steelers
2002 Belfast Giants
2003 Sheffield Steelers
2004 Sheffield Steelers - Elite League Era
2005 Coventry Blaze
2006 Belfast Giants
2007 Coventry Blaze
2008 Coventry Blaze
2009 Sheffield Steelers
2010 Coventry Blaze
2011 Sheffield Steelers
2012 Belfast Giants
2013 Nottingham Panthers
2014 Belfast Giants
2015 Sheffield Steelers
2016 Sheffield Steelers
2017 Cardiff Devils
HISTORY OF COMPETITION
2) The PLAY OFFS
1929-30
The English (Southern) League ‘London Lions’ beat Princes Club and the Scottish Leagues ‘Glasgow Mohawks’ beat Manchester and met in a PLAY-OFF Final
1946-47 one English PO was played yet 1939-40 and 1946-47 through to 1953-54 a Scottish competition was played for.
The Icy-Smith Cup competition played by Northern League teams from 1965-66 through to 1980-81 were later denoted as the BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFFS and since that date, after domestic league play, (English/Scottish or British) a PLAY-OFFS competition have continued
as we know of it today.
From 1968 to 1982 regional leagues played a PO competition to denote an extra event after the league.But the Icy Smith was the actual national Play-Offs.
In the last British season before WW1 Nottingham lost out in a one off British event.
1929-30 London Lions beat Glasgow Mohawks
1939-40 Kirkcaldy Flyers (Scottish Champions)
1946-47 Harringay Greyhounds (English Champs)
Dunfirmline Vikings (Scotland)
1947-48 Dundee Tigers - Scottish
1948-49 Falkirk Lions
1949-50 Falkirk Lions
1950-51 Paisley Pirates
1951-52 Falkirk Lions
1952-53 Ayr Raiders
1953-54 Falkirk Lions
1959-60 Brighton Tigers
75-76 Ayr Bruins
76-77 Fife Flyers
77-78 Fife Flyers
78-79 Murrayfield Racers
79-80 Murrayfield Racers
80-81 Murrayfield Racers
81-82 Dundee Rockets
82-83 Dundee Rockets
83-84 Dundee Rockets
84-85 Fife Flyers
85-86 Murrayfield Racers
86-87 Durham Wasps
87-88 Durham Wasps
88-89 Nottingham Panthers
89-90 Cardiff Devils
90-91 Durham Wasps
91-92 Durham Wasps
92-93 Cardiff Devils
93-94 Cardiff Devils
94-95 Sheffield Steelers
95-96 Sheffield Steelers
96-97 Sheffield Steelers - Superleague
97-98 Ayre Scottiah Eagles
98-99 Cardiff Devils
99-00 London Knights
00-01 Sheffield Steelers
01-02 Sheffield Steelers
02-03 Belfast Giants
03-04 Sheffield Steelers - Elite
04-05 Coventry Blaze
05-06 Newcastle Vipers
06-07 Nottingham Panthers
07-08 Sheffield Steelers
08-09 Sheffield Steelers
09-10 Belfast Giants
10-11 Nottingam Panthers
11-12 Nottingham Panthers
12-13 Nottingham Panthers
13-14 Sheffield Stelers
14-15 Coventry Blaze
15-16 Nottingham Panthers
16-17 Sheffield Steelers
HISTORY OF COMPETITION
3) The CUP
In short - The Winners
1936-37 English Knock Out Cup - Earls Court Rangers
(plus several other cups played in 30's + 40's in Scotland)
1939-40 Scottish Cup - Dunfermline Vikings
English Autumn Cup/Scottish Autumn Cup
1946-47 Brighton Tigers
.............(Tournament Winners - Brighton Tigers)
1947-48 Harringay Racers/Paisley Pirates
.............(Tournament Winners - Streatham)
1948-49 Wembley Monarchs/Fife Flyers
.............(Tournament Winners - Wembley Monarchs)
1949-50 Harringay Racers/Dundee Tigers
.............(Tournament Winners - Streatham)
1950-51 Brighton/Fife Flyers
1951-52 Streatham/Ayr Raiders
1952-53 Harringay/ no comp.
1953-54 Streatham/Paisley Pirates
British Autumn Cup
1954-55 Harringay Racers
1955-56 Nottingham Panthers
1956-57 Brighton Tigers
1957-58 Wembley Lions
1958-59 Brighton Tigers
1959-60 Streatham
Northern League Autumn Cup
1967-68 Paisley
1968-69 Murrayfield
1969-70 Murrayfield
1970-71 no comp
1971-72 Whitley
1972-73 Fife
1973-74 no comp
1974-75 Murrayfield
1975-76 Fife
1976-77 Fife
1977-78 Murrayfield
1979-79 Fife
1979-80 Murrayfield
Southern Cup
1981 Streatham Redskins
1982 Streatham Redskins
British Autumn Cup
84 Dundee Rockets
85 Durham wasps
86 Murrayfield Racers
87 Nottingham Panthers
88 Durham Wasps
89 Tayside Tigers
90 Murrayfield Racers
91 Durham wasps
92 Nottingham Panthers
93 Cardiff Devils
94 Murrayfield Racers
95 Nottingham Panthers
96 Sheffield Steelers
97 Nottingham Panthers
98 Ayr Scottish Eagles
Challenge Cup - Ayr Scottish eagles
99 Nottingham Panthers
Challenge Cup - Sheffield Steelers
00 Manchester Storm
Challenge Cup - Sheffield Steelers
01 Sheffield Steelers
Challenge Cup - Sheffield Steelers
02 Challenge Cup - Ayr Scottish Eagles
03 Challenge Cup - Sheffield Steelers
04 Challenge Cup - Nottingham Panthers
05 Challenge Cup - Coventry Blaze
06 Challenge Cup - Cardiff Devils
Knock-Out Cup - Sheffield Steelers
07 Challenge Cup - Coventry Blaze
Knock Out Cup - Cardiff devils
08 Challenge Cup - Nottingham Panthers
Knock Out Cup - Coventry blaze
09 Challenge Cup - Belfast Giants
Knock Out Cup - Belfast Giants
10 Challenge Cup - Nottingham Panthers
11 Challenge Cup - Nottingham Panthers
12 Challenge Cup - Nottingham Panthers
13 Challenge Cup - Nottingham Panthers
14 Challenge Cup - Nottingham Panthers
15 Challenge Cup - Cardiff Devils
16 Challenge Cup - Nottingham Panthers
17 Challenge Cup - Cardiff Devils
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A short history…. The League
Most of the season is dedicated to the lengthy league programme. But the history is chequered since
1898 when Niagara were the first “nominated” English club champions.
It appears sides were “seen as” and thus more likely “elected” champions from the culmination of the
entire regular period of play. This continued up until the year 1929.
Thereafter, clubs sides from England, and a separate Scotland, made up competitive schedules,
although this was pitted by faults.
1929-30 had London Lions (Wembley) top of an incomplete league and again denoted the “leading
club” side in the year 1931 prior to a full season of play in 31-32. Leagues continued until 1935-36
when Birmingham Maple Leafs transpired a title in our records before a more professional set up was
to commence.
By 1935-36 the story became a little clearer. National Leagues embarked on a healthy period both
north and south of the border and is remembered more for its ice hockey history in what is known as
the “Golden Years”. Later our own Nottingham Panthers picking up English trophies in 1951 and
1954. As the two countries then amalgamated to a British League by 1954-55, Panthers had silverware
in the cabinet again for 1956.
The tale again folds by 1960 as the League becomes defunct.
1966-67 saw a regional “Northern Association” return with both Scottish and North Eastern English
teams. This continued until 1982.
A more Southerly based section held out a similar League from 1970. This later was joined by another
regional division. The newer (1979) Inter-City League (English League South) and Southern
Association “Midland League” (English League North) however finished competition by 1982.
During this final season a strange situation had an English (and Scottish) National League run
alongside these smaller set ups and ice hockey then felt confident enough by the following season to
promote a return to British League play, which has existed to the present day.
The professional scene highlighting the names Super and Elite in preference to the term British (UK)
League.
The Play Offs
The culmination to the Season.
Both Cup and League have been won but the highlight of the Ice Hockey action seems to have been
saved till last.
Teams have to qualify (most seasons) by League placing. Presently teams are 'drawn' to quarter final knock out places.These home and away quarter-final ties then bring about the 'Finals weekend' when the semi's and Final are played at one venue.
1929-30 saw the first playoffs which the London Lions engraved into history.
Scottish National play then took on board Play-Offs from 1939-40 when the Kirkcaldy Fliers became
the first of nine champions of Scotland. England testing the Play-Off water for just one season in 46-
47 as Harringay Greyhounds lifted the Trophy.
By the end of this first “golden” era of hockey. Brighton Tigers took the honour of British Play-Off
Champions. Play-Off hockey would now disappear until the late 1960’s.
Leagues held out Play-Offs from the now regional hockey that Britain played.
The Northern Association comprising of the two countries teams held a competition in 1968 through
to 1979 whereas all the winners happened to be Scottish. The Southern and Inter-City Association
teams in 1976, 77, 78,80,81,82 saw its own title holders. Streatham Redskins being the bookies bet for
winners.
But, a long established tournament from 1966 called The Icy-Smith Cup (it was played for from 1966-
81) “became” the British Championships and the 1976 winners and subsequent winners to 1981 were
denoted as the Championship winners….. i.e. our Play-Offs.
A short history….the Cup.
The Ice-Hockey programme is well known for its cup, league then play-off schedule.The Cup a separate entity to the league come play-off schedule....
In 1936-37 Earls Court Rangers were Knock-Out CUP Champions in England.
(some other cups played for in Scotland over the 30's and 40's)
By 1939-40 Dunfermline Vikings picked up the tournament prize denoted as the Scottish Cup.
From 1946-47 both countries played out regular Autumn Cup competitions of their own through to the
1953-54 season. Thereafter the cup campaign took on its British mantle as both associations merged.
At this time 1946-47 to 1949-50 a brief National Tournament was held on a similar basis having
foreign teams participate in its third season. Likewise a Midlands Cup from 1980-81 to 1982-83 and
again in 1989-90 had a short shelf life.
Due to constant change in our sports history the 1960’s brought about regional contest. The Northern
League had cup winners from 1968 until 1982. The other associations down south, the Inter-
City/English South League and the Midland/English North brought forth competition from 1980.
From this the Southern Cup combined leagues teams but lasted only two seasons due to the fact that there was a return to a British National schedule with interest to a singular countrywide Autumn Cup once again.
This was the format from 1983. But the Autumn Cup ceased in 2000-2001 as two competitions
( Autumn and Challenge) which had overlapped between 1998 and 2001 had the Challenge Cup
become the major choice of all till today. (Who knows why?)
NB) the Icy-Smith Knock-Out Cup played 1966-75 nationally, turned into what is now the British
Championship Play-offs. It was also another minor competition of its own once again, played
separately years later, Nottingham playing in 1989/90.
Other than these domestic affairs Panthers have represented Britain as a team in the Ahearne Cup in
1955, 2002, 2003 and 2006 and in the European Continental Cup by merit in years 1999, 2005, 2006 and recently in 2017 becoming winners..as well as honouring the league in representation to the highest European competion: The Champions Hockey League in 2015 and 2017.
END