Pressing On

Listen to this month's show right here.

Many thanks to the marvellous Judith.

Make Phoenix Great Again!

Listen right here to the first in a series of monthly-ish shows from the Phoenix Podcast team.

We'll behave like grown-ups.

Honest.

Tony Hand and Neil Morris

Take a listen to Neil Morris talking to Tony Hand about the preparations for the new season at Manchester Phoenix.

You can hear the audio right here.

Don't forget to search on your podcast app for the Manchester Phoenix Podcast before the season starts so that you are ready to join us in a couple of weeks.

Phoenix's Future

Neil Morris has released this statement today:

Freezing Point Limited has ceased trading and is now subject to insolvency proceedings pursuant to the Insolvency Act 1986.

As Manchester Phoenix tweeted last night, the future of Manchester Phoenix Ice Hockey Club (MPIHC) is no more in jeopardy today than it was yesterday.

Freezing Point Limited is not MPIHC. As many know, the Phoenix brand has been used under licence by Freezing Point Limited for years. 

Sadly, Freezing Point Limited has been brought to the point of insolvency and cannot continue to trade. I am, by far, the company's biggest creditor. I take, by far, the biggest financial hit in taking this action. 

Nevertheless, Phoenix continues. As English Ice Hockey Association chairman, Ken Taggart said yesterday, "...my gut feeling says we’ll still have ten teams next season."

We have spent a long time now working on securing the new rink and new partners for the Club. 

We have done this against a background of sniping, bad-mouthing and attempts to prevent a new rink being opened in Manchester. 

We have done this whilst not being able to tell our own supporters the details for commercial reasons. We know that it is frustrating for everyone. We are aware of people feeling uncertain. We are only too aware of the deadlines in making sure that we are ready for you in September. 

Please understand this: we will tell you all of the details. We cannot do it right now because it is still being negotiated. It would be crazy for us to be doing all of this work to make this happen, only to fail because we couldn't wait until everything was set in stone. 

Over the last year or so people have made investments of time, money and "bricks" in the future of the Phoenix. The Club will honour that by bringing a strong, sustainable and mostly British team back to the heart of this great city for the 2016/17 season.  

And when we do, you will know that you were right to Keep The Faith.

NM

The Knee of Fate Was On Your Side

And so it was that Phoenix gracefully left the 2016 Playoffs at the quarter-finals stage, after holding Bison to an uncomfortable little lead at WMMP and having half of their team put out of action.

And you know what? The boys done us proud. Hear about it right here. We recorded in a variety of different conditions so apologies for some of the sound quality.

For a Club that started the season playing in a different nation, suffered a series of huge financial setbacks and cruel blows, called on its fanbase to keep it afloat and had injury troubles that took it as low as the minimum number of dressed skaters allowed so as not to forfeit a game..... we did pretty well.

This show covers both "home" and away legs of the Quarter-Finals clash with Bison. It includes many a guest, not least of which, Tony Hand MBE and Fiona Heron (proud mum extraordinaire).

It features the final meeting of the NWRC and an impromptu game in inspired by Keith Floyd (as we needed filler when the Zamboni broke down).

It features the show's final interview with Mags Pullen (until we see her at Swindon or our new place or wherever else she will pop up)!

It's a moderate trek to Coventry so why not stick this on whilst you travel? We bleeped the swear words from Ben, Mags and Tony too!

This year's live shows from Coventry will not be "Phoenix" shows per se. That is simply because we now have so much representation from other clubs that it seemed to us to be a little unfair to call it a Phoenix show. Please note that it is not affiliated to ANY club and is NOT an official product from Phoenix, though we are happy for them and any other club to syndicate it through their media (with credit).

Also, be aware that we try to stop NM swearing but he simply can't help himself!

You can listen on your phone, on the way down. It's easy. Get Spreaker app. Search Spreaker for Phoenix Podcast (as we are using that so that you can find us) or click the link on Facebook or Twitter shortly before the live times.

Saturday's show starts at 1030am.

Sunday starts at 12 noon.

We can neither confirm nor deny that there might be a Late Edition of a some sort. If there is, it is NOT suitable for those with sensitive ears and is most definitely NOT official media of any club.

Powered By The Tears Of Trolls

We made it to the final regular season game of the 2015/16 season against all odds. And so did the Bees. And nobody expected either of us to do it! You can listen to all the....erm.... action, right here.

Along with the usual cast of balcony-dwellers and ramblings, we cover a game that left Phoenix feeling rather underwhelmed. We have the penultimate meeting of the NWRC with our co-opted Bee, Amy.

We are joined by Phoenix Captain Luke Boothroyd.

We talk Zambonii (Zambonies? Zambonees? Chilly Tractors?) and play a quick round of "What's Keith Floyd up to now?"

Really, we entertain you with screwball antics, have a few serious moments and nurse hangovers.

Standard.

Your Cousin's A Bully

This is the first episode of the final regular season at the West Manchester Municipal Pool and we are bringing you all the action right here.

Zorbing, zambonii (is this the plural?), Rules Committee, a bit of booze, a lack of booze,chips, expanded desk facilities, and no flashy lights :-(

You don't need to listen now. So don't. Go away.  Go on, suckas! Sling your hook! Do one.

(see you tomorrow)