News

Phoenix fans deliver stern message to rivals

Monday, 3rd August 2015

“Never write this club off” – that’s the message from Phoenix supporters, as the new English Premier League campaign draws near.

Up to 300 fans watched club bosses unveil next season’s shirt design and logo, during a meeting at Manchester’s Mercure Hotel in Piccadilly.

The event also saw Head Coach Tony Hand reveal his latest signing – 5’10” forward, Nico Aaltonen, a 199 game veteran of Finland’s Liiga.

And for the massed ranks of supporters, next year’s squad could prove to be a dark horse, as they make their temporary home in Flintshire.

George Burney, who has been a fan since the Phoenix were formed, said: “I can’t wait for the new season to start. I watched this club when they played at Deeside before, and it is a decent place, with a good ice pad.

“It looks like we will have four import forwards, which will give us two top lines and make a big difference. We should see plenty of goals.

“I have heard some people write The Pheonix off and say we won’t do well next season. Well, I am saying to them never write this club off.”

Another fan at Friday night’s event was Doug Brown, who also sponsors The Phoenix through his company, RTL Recycling Technology.

He said: “It should be very exciting for us next season, especially as a sponsor. This is our local team and we wanted to put something back into the community.

“I like the new shirts and logo, and with the new guy coming in, it is looking great.”

Julie Ireland, meanwhile, was at the event with her young family – and was another fan to predict a few surprises for other teams next season.

She said: “The British players we have got look really good and we’ve got a great nucleus of players here.

“Other teams will expect us not to do well, because of our circumstances, but we always come up with a few surprises. I expect us to shock a few teams.”

Fellow supporter Damon Hull, who has followed The Phoenix since 2009, is also looking forward to plenty of goals during the upcoming campaign.

He added: “It is good to see the new players coming in, and with the fixtures having been released, it is getting nearer.

“I like the fact that we have got four import forwards, who should score a lot of goals and play with plenty of skill.

“We have got some new guys here, but we’ve also kept the heart and soul of this team. That is good to see.”