Features

Under the spotlight - Neil Morris, November 8th 2006

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Today, Richard Allan caught up with Manchester Phoenix MD Neil Morris for a brief chat about the team, the club and the Altrincham Ice Dome.

Richard Allan:
With the recent changes in the player roster (James Hutchinson and Ryan Watson out, Matt Rich and Matt Beveridge in), how do you think the team is coming along?

Neil Morris:
Interesting question…Well I liked James Hutchinson as a person, however I believe that Matt Rich is more than a worthy replacement and the new Celtic line looks like it just starting to fire on all cylinders. Matt Beveridge agreed to play for us on a game by game basis, which allowed my coach a little more time to find a replacement for Ryan Watson. Matt has however done a good job for us every time he has put on our jersey. I wonder whether we will have a big forward originating from the Czech Republic for this weekend, well you never know its just there was this guy in the pub who knows somebody who used to go to school with somebody who now works with somebody who used to help clean the Phoenix office and he said that……

RA:
The revised handover date for the rink is looming ever closer, with the 2nd December now just around the corner. Will the rink be open on time? If not, what's the contingency plan?

NM:
Unfortunately unlike many other people I do not have the benefit of going forward in time, so my predictions are not very useful!  However I can tell you that I agreed to have a meeting with the main contractor on the 17th November to assess his progress and for him to confirm a delivery date. He has made this date because the gluelam beams do not arrive until Friday the 10th November. The gluelam beams are basically the roof structure as many people know there are not many freespan buildings of this size built in this country, we have nearly 45 metres to span. These beams have to come into the country on special transport and are slightly bigger than a B&Q shed, so we need to get them here first. Secondly the last two roof structures to be erected of this size in this country did not quite fit and one fell down, so as you can see this next bit of the project is critical. I therefore agreed to let them fit the gluelam beams before insisting on a final answer. Would I like to guess? Why should I, he will give me a real answer next.  The last piece of advice I was given left me with egg on my face - a local reputable engineer told me it would take them six weeks to erect the steel and then they did it in ten days. So although patience is not one of my better virtues I am learning to work with fact and not conjecture!

RA:
How have the players adjusted to playing the season so far on the road?

NM:
The players have been great, we have got a good dressing room. We have employed professionals and luckily they all act like they are. What we have to remember is that our imported players can sometimes spend up to eighteen hours on a bus and then they have to play, so they have adapted well. Are the guys and I looking forward to our own rink?  You bet, believe it or not, just as much as you!  I can safely say other than me the person looking forward to being in our on rink is Paul Turner our equipment manager  - he should really get MVP every week!

RA:
The Manchester fans are a loyal bunch, to the extent of being rechristened The Phoenix Faithful by the team.  How much is the support of the fans helping?

NM:
This is the easiest answer of all. No fans means no players. No players means no club.  No club means no Neil!  I have said this before but without my many friends (the Fans) I would not have ever contemplated ever making this journey again. Lets hope that shortly we can all look back and be proud of what we have achieved with ice sports in Manchester over the last five years.

RA:
Later this month the Phoenix are holding a 'Meet The Team' event which will also serve as a book launch for Tony Hand's autobography.  Have you had a sneak peek at the book yet?

NM:
I had to decipher most of it for him! But seriously, you will have to come and have a look for yourself.  Tony has agreed to do some special signings on the evening, in the years to come these will be very special books. We also have a few more surprises for you on the evening, so make sure you're there!

Neil Morris was interviewed on Wednesday November 8th 2006