Thanks Mike Ellis

[Heanor Lair]

Hello Everyone

With Rees being the final signing, I just wanted to say that for the first time in many a season I'm looking forward to the start of the new season.

I dreaded last season. When Blaisdall was first inteviwed last season having been given the job, he was asked why he had taken that job he replied 'Because no-one else had offered me one'. I thought at the time oh no, and my fears were realised. Mr Blaisdall took us all for a ride.

The couple of seasons before you felt that Adey was being undermined, and so the seasons were alsogoing to be shaky, and the seasons before that it was comings and goings on the coaching front.

With Ellis you do feel that he has give real thought to each of his signings, and that each signing is going to be a 'team player'.

We perhaps may not see the free flowing hockey of previous seasons, but it looks as though we are going to have ateam unit.

Most importantly the team are all signed and we wont have any of this nonsemse whereby players are being signed 3-4 weeks into the season. The teams are too evenly matched to have the disadvantage of a short bench. We are even having a proper pre-season game/training programme.

The futures bright, the futures gold and black ;D

[Dips]

I have been watching Panthers for the last 20+ years and know only too well about getting my hopes up ahead of a new season. I have waited for new seasons to start, and seen new teams built which we have been told were going to win the league only to be disappointed at the end of the season. Last year I attended the Sheffield game where we lost 1-0 in the last minute. For the first time I left the arena totally dejected with a team that showed no focus, passion or heart. That night I vowed never again to be taken in by false promises from the management. Therefore I too can say how pleased I am at the refreshing change this summer has been. No false promises, no shouts of we will win the league for our great fans, just a coach that seems to want to win. And he appears to be building a team that thrive on hard work and who also have a will to win. I don't expect us to win every game, all I ask is that if we suffer a defeat I am able to say that the players gave everything but were beaten by the better team. If this occurs my wishes will have been answered this year (but a couple of trophies would be nice ;D).

[BIG-BAD-TONE]

God, I feel a Frank Sinatra song coming on!

Hi....gh Hopes he's got hi..gh hopes ,he's got high apple pie in the sky hopes.............................

[lockerbie]

I feel 100% happier with the coach, 100% happier with the attitude, 100% happier with the side (no hype) and after last season im actually looking forward to the start of the season which after MVB's brief involvement I didn't think I would have again! So I guess I'm happy!

[blackandgold]

I have to agree with HL, I cant remember the last time we had a full roster prior to the challenge games never mind the league games, what a boost. ;D

IMHO with Mike Ellis installed as head coach the Panthers organization has a clean slate to start a whole new chapter.

Paul Adey & Mike Blaisdel (as coaches) came with a lot of baggage, personality clashes and internal arguments etc, this must have had some impact on the teams performance on many a night.

Paul & Mike gave the Panthers fans many hours of entertainment and silver ware over the years, but this year with the team Mr Ellis has put together fills me with fire again, I am gagging to get down the arena and see this team perform.

I have a gut feeling when / if we loose games against the Steelers or any other team for that matter, it wont be for a lack of trying.

As Pink would say "Lets get the party started"

[jaycourtney]

I think to much of Adey was expected to be honset its that great player has to become the great coach expectaion.

As for Blaisdell, I think he wanted a nice little swan song, and I was ashamed of him when we didn't reach the final four of the play off's, he always had an excuse aswel look at the 2004 Challenge cup of Diania Ross Gig, and the net minder had a poor game never his tatics could be questioned.

As for Ellis, not promised anything, but seems to have brought a very good team together, and not firm fan favourites were re-signed like Cruickshank and Cote ect... his bought a bunch of team players that have been their and done that and want to continue winning.

Remember win not spin guys ;D