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Post by NickThePanther44 on Apr 1, 2008 9:05:57 GMT
Was told this by a friend then read it on another website so thought it was worth discussing.
Personally I think this would be great for the league, couldn't pick two teams I'd prefer to join
Nick
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Paul
Robert Lachowicz
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Post by Paul on Apr 1, 2008 9:32:09 GMT
More teams have got to be good for the league & given Fife & Dundalk's proximity to Murrayfield (sorry Edinburgh) & Belfast respectively it can hopefully generate some rivalry & thus revenue as well. Plus it'll mean, if scheduled properly, great doubleheader weekends for the fans.
One word of caution I'd offer is that Fife has had their entry to the league blocked before by the owners. I can't see why myself but it was put down to game against Fife or Dundee (in that case) not bringing in as much revenue as a game against, say, belfast. I can't really see this myself. I get sick to the back teeth of seeing the same teams week in week out so I've started voting with my feet & not going to some games. If there was a bit more variety I'd probably go to more games. I might be in the minority but that's what I feel.
On the up side Fife is an absolutely brilliant rink. Real old fashioned & reminded me a lot of our old place.
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Mythosman
Matt Myers
Age is a big price to pay for maturity!
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Post by Mythosman on Apr 1, 2008 9:57:32 GMT
A Dundalk and Belfast weekend would be a welcome addition to the schedules, making a trip over the water more economic with 2 games.
However, although Dundalk has been courted and groomed this season by the Giants, as they spread the Elite League gospel south of the border, you have to question whether a facility that only has a 1,200 capacity can generate enough income through ticket sales to support a competitive Elite League side?
Also, could the inclusion of Dundalk create some North-South friction for local derbies with the Giants? The Giants have worked tirelessly to make hockey an inclusive sport for the community, and to exclude potential sectarianism from the 'O' - "In the land of the Giants, everyone is equal". I would hate that good work to be for nothing.
Perhaps our friends in Northern Ireland can comment on these points, as they are much closer to the reality than myself?
Fife would be a great addition, as it would renew the famous local rivalry with Edinburgh, and give both clubs some welcome additional income from the hothouse local derbies that the clubs are traditionally renowned for! It would also make for a very different Scottish weekend road trip for the other Elite League clubs.
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mark82
Jade Galbraith
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Post by mark82 on Apr 1, 2008 11:51:15 GMT
i seem to vaguely remember several issues ago in powerplay magazine, in the irish hockey news section, that dundalk said it wouldn't be financially viable to join the elite league just yet. I don't have said issue anymore so I could be wrong. Would be an excellent addition if both were to join though.
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Post by NickThePanther44 on Apr 1, 2008 11:57:18 GMT
If they could fill that 1200 rink then they would be doing just as good as Basingstoke who if they hadn't overspent would I'm sure of made the PO's.
As far as Dundalk causing trouble in Ireland I really don't think it would, it could become a very intense rivalry but I do strongly believe it would just stay as that
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Post by Rumpole on Apr 1, 2008 12:48:39 GMT
I would like an expansion of the league, but can't see it happening next season.
1. Touched on earlier - finance. The league season would have to reduce from 3 home and away to 2 home and away against each other. For the likes of NB, that removes money spinners against Steelers and Blaze with ones against "lesser" (perceived) teams who are unlikely to bring a large following or attract a large home crowd.
2. The reduction in home league games (27 to 22) could mean a return to groups for the Play offs, as the season ticket application form specifies 27 matches, so group playoffs would be needed to bring the number up. That has a similar effect as 1.
Alternatively the Challenge Cup games could be put on the season ticket, but I believe some of the income from those games goes to the Elite League coffers.
3. It would make a mockery of Manchester's promotion of buying tickets for the 3 home games against particular opposition.
4. I think it would have been sorted by now and announced
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Post by premakpower on Apr 1, 2008 14:29:54 GMT
i seem to vaguely remember several issues ago in powerplay magazine, in the irish hockey news section, that dundalk said it wouldn't be financially viable to join the elite league just yet. I don't have said issue anymore so I could be wrong. Would be an excellent addition if both were to join though. Yep,.. Thats what it said. Dundalk not to join Elite league was the thread thru the whole piece. |
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matt44
David Clarke
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Post by matt44 on Apr 1, 2008 19:05:23 GMT
It would be great news! Maybe get a London team in and then have MK or Guilford come up to make it 14 teams it would be alot better.
Edinburgh REALLY need another Scottish team to help them out.
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Post by dms41853 on Apr 1, 2008 19:14:27 GMT
It would be great news! Maybe get a London team in and then have MK or Guilford come up to make it 14 teams it would be alot better. Edinburgh REALLY need another Scottish team to help them out. Totally agree the league would need 14 teams for a better expansion, hopefully the league and owners will make it happen for once. |
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Post by ted on Apr 1, 2008 20:02:44 GMT
Dont Fife need a rink? Their last one was burnt down I heard
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Post by marshalfish on Apr 1, 2008 20:57:28 GMT
I was just thinking that too Teddy
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Higgy
Les Strongman
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Post by Higgy on Apr 1, 2008 21:45:58 GMT
Its open again and they are just carrying on with repairs while they play i think.
Dundalk wont join up this season and i cant see Fife doing it...Dundee would be a much more viable option as they have a rink of similar size/standard to the Skydome
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Post by dms41853 on Apr 1, 2008 22:03:06 GMT
while i want to see more teams join the league for reasons i've listed else where, it needs to be done properly with a clear structure not rushed in this off season. I think the league needs to take a year to select new members carefully and prepare for new fixtures and restructure of other competitions.
The talk of a new irish and scottish team joining is a step in the right direction.
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Adam
Chick Zamick
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Post by Adam on Apr 1, 2008 22:34:06 GMT
Does Fife have plexi glass now? Remember it didn't when we played up there in the crossover games.. When we also got beat!  |
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Post by buster on Apr 2, 2008 0:18:40 GMT
not knowing a great deal about either of the prospective newcomer team's i give you my opinion...
i dont think adding (what i believe to be) two more teams that will be of the standard of hull and basingstoke, to be a good idea. just more dull games.
please correct me if im horribly mistaken.
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Shorty
Paul Adey
Still here for Private Messages
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Post by Shorty on Apr 2, 2008 7:51:35 GMT
I think the league needs to take a year to select new members carefully and prepare for new fixtures and restructure of other competitions. Perhaps they have been doing that this year. Its not as if they have been busy doing anything else really is it? As for Fife, I'm sure there was some scandal a few years ago that had something to do with equipment pricing and payment, that mightily peed off some of the other clubs. Perhaps someone else can remember. |
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Post by dms41853 on Apr 2, 2008 8:22:12 GMT
[ quote author=shorty board=Rumours thread=6612 post=175974 time=1207122695] I think the league needs to take a year to select new members carefully and prepare for new fixtures and restructure of other competitions. Perhaps they have been doing that this year. Its not as if they have been busy doing anything else really is it? [/quote] Maybe they have but i doubt it because like i've said the league needs 14 teams for a proper expansion. The current teams and especially arena teams are struggling for ice time as it is without having to find space for 3 more fixtures. I will quite happily wait one more season and get a proper expansion rather than a half arsed slap-dash effort just for the sake of it. The league needs: 14 teams playing home and away twice. Playoffs changed to 2 groups of 5 round robin before finals weekend Keep cc format as it is as with 2 groups of 7 it will be more competitive. With the league giving a set weekend for a double header final so teams can book the ice just in case. All the above is my opinion. |
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Post by texpef on Apr 2, 2008 8:33:44 GMT
Dont know about latest teams but historically Fife in particular have always iced very good competitive teams in whichever league they have played in and at one point had the best ever NHL player in the country... Doug Smail
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Post by Chubbs on Apr 2, 2008 9:24:26 GMT
There was talk a few years ago of a Dublin team joining, and that died a death. Then there was Bristol, Southampton, Liverpool, Swansea - The list was/is endless. I agree that more teams would be great, but also agree that the home games against both would be typical midweek, lifeless affairs that fans might turn theirs backs on.
Perhaps until we get teams who could hold their own both competitively and financially in the Elite league, a better option would be an expanded inter-league cup, properly balanced, to add variety to what is in danger of becoming a very stale product.
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Post by NickThePanther44 on Apr 2, 2008 9:27:11 GMT
Just because games against Hull and sometimes Edinburgh are pretty dull doesn't mean any team that hasn't got our budget are going to be boring to watch, I always like watching Bison, yes this seasons been a bit ropey because of them losing players to Belfast6 and injury but generally there very entertaining imo
It's when we don't show up or ice the junior lads that it gets boring
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Post by texpef on Apr 2, 2008 9:34:17 GMT
Plus the fact we are always talking about winning the league which in all honesty means beating teams such as this on a regular basis home and away (just like coventry do). IF as people are suggesting teams are more competitive it makes it even less likely that we could win the league....doesnt it?
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Post by dms41853 on Apr 2, 2008 10:27:51 GMT
Plus the fact we are always talking about winning the league which in all honesty means beating teams such as this on a regular basis home and away (just like coventry do). IF as people are suggesting teams are more competitive it makes it even less likely that we could win the league....doesnt it? I don't think it makes it less likely, i would like to believe it will have a positive effect on us and we realise every game counts and we 'show up' for every game. |
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Higgy
Les Strongman
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Post by Higgy on Apr 2, 2008 10:37:01 GMT
Fife were a very strong team at BNL level (unlike Hull and Edinburgh) and had at least double the average attendance of both teams, they still get about the same crowd as Hull now and play in the SPL with 5 other teams, so i think they would offer better games than Hull and Caps, if they were to be as strong as they used to be.
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Warren
Greg Hadden
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Post by Warren on Apr 2, 2008 11:29:23 GMT
There has been talk of MK Lightning making the step up and depending who I talk to another out of Romford, Guilford, Slough, Telford & Peterborough (all with equal weight)
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Post by NotMartinTuma on Apr 2, 2008 11:41:31 GMT
There has been talk of MK Lightning making the step up and depending who I talk to another out of Romford, Guilford, Slough, Telford & Peterborough (all with equal weight) Doubt Guildford will ever step up a league, they have proved in the past that they are happy to be a big fish in a small pond. They dropped out of the ISL just before it started and in my opinion was the right choice. The other teams you mention will struggle to compete with arena teams so from thier point of view, why risk potential bankrupcy when they have reletive safety at the level they are at. |
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