News

What next for Phoenix?

Thursday, 27th October 2011

That is exactly what MD Neil Morris was thinking on Thursday afternoon.

He had just had it confirmed that defenceman Ladislav Harabin had suffered a serious facial injury and is likely to be out for some time. Add that to the loss of the club’s other import d man Jaroslav Spelda and it is no wonder Mr Morris was tearing his hair out.

“At times like this” said Neil “you just look skywards and ask the question. I have never known of a team having so many injuries at the same time. We have not had a full squad since the first period of the first challenge game of the season.

“It is going to be a tough weekend for us but the organisation will pull together and do everything we can to be competitive on the ice. The Metros will be helping out where they can but they have a crucial top of the table clash themselves on Saturday. The guys have been fantastic all season, playing their hearts out to try and compensate for the loss of their colleagues. Some have been playing through the pain barrier to make sure we had enough players on the ice. I wonder where we would have been had Coach Tony Hand not had the vision to bring in a couple of utility players this season.”

Neil continued: “I am so proud of the efforts of our team, our coach and our backroom staff since day one. The way they have gone about their jobs has been an inspiration and to still be up there with the rest of the league is testament to their total commitment.

“The fans, too, have played a major part at this time and have been an extra man for the team.”

Mr Morris concluded by saying to the fans: “No matter what happens this weekend I need all of you to get behind the team and raise the roof in appreciation of their efforts and, together, we will get through this and reap the rewards everybody so richly deserves. Keep the faith everybody and we will prevail.”

Neil Morris

Phoenix MD Neil Morris


Sign up for the Phoenix Newsletter

Join our 200 Club

Manchester Phoenix Community Sports Foundation