Individual News
29th of March 2008
I have to admit that I feel very flat right now having fallen just short in the final two weeks in both the Cup final and in the fight for a play-off place. Congratulations and best wishes to Coventry and Edinburgh in the play-offs.
At the end of the second period in our return leg in Coventry, I am sure we were not the only ones who thought we had one hand on the cup.
In our league games, we were also within minutes of securing the points we needed. But at this time of the season all the teams have raised their games and we knew that both Belfast and Coventry would be determined to go into play-off games with a winning momentum.
When I came here in September as a coach I had no intention of playing. As it turned out, it's been a privilege to share the locker-room as a player with a magnificent bunch of guys.
Since the time when the future of the team itself seemed uncertain, they have earned the respect and admiration of fans wherever they have played and we have seen our own fan-base grow more any other team in the league.
There are many ways of measuring success and I salute all the players for what they have achieved this season.
They never knew when they were beaten. Whatever the circumstances, they always showed what a great sport ice-hockey is when it is played in the Bison spirit.
The fans have certainly made us feel proud this season. When Stevie Thornton and I stood in front of you last year, we said we wanted to develop both the team and the club.
We've seen the increase in numbers and we know how much so many people have done to make Hockey Night in Basingstoke so unmissable.
A lot of people have dug deep to keep us afloat. Your energy has driven us on game after game.
But what I value most is how we have all come together to make it a great club to be part of. That's why I can't wait for next season.
I'll be busy putting together a roster for next year, buoyed by the improved financial standing of the club.
Our association with the University of Winchester will be a great help in attracting players to Basingstoke.
Have a great summer. How long to wait for the next stampede?
At the end of the second period in our return leg in Coventry, I am sure we were not the only ones who thought we had one hand on the cup.
In our league games, we were also within minutes of securing the points we needed. But at this time of the season all the teams have raised their games and we knew that both Belfast and Coventry would be determined to go into play-off games with a winning momentum.
When I came here in September as a coach I had no intention of playing. As it turned out, it's been a privilege to share the locker-room as a player with a magnificent bunch of guys.
Since the time when the future of the team itself seemed uncertain, they have earned the respect and admiration of fans wherever they have played and we have seen our own fan-base grow more any other team in the league.
There are many ways of measuring success and I salute all the players for what they have achieved this season.
They never knew when they were beaten. Whatever the circumstances, they always showed what a great sport ice-hockey is when it is played in the Bison spirit.
The fans have certainly made us feel proud this season. When Stevie Thornton and I stood in front of you last year, we said we wanted to develop both the team and the club.
We've seen the increase in numbers and we know how much so many people have done to make Hockey Night in Basingstoke so unmissable.
A lot of people have dug deep to keep us afloat. Your energy has driven us on game after game.
But what I value most is how we have all come together to make it a great club to be part of. That's why I can't wait for next season.
I'll be busy putting together a roster for next year, buoyed by the improved financial standing of the club.
Our association with the University of Winchester will be a great help in attracting players to Basingstoke.
Have a great summer. How long to wait for the next stampede?