Whitley Warriors head coach Simon Leach has had a hectic summer building Whitley’s new look squad and with top players such as Karl Culley, Adam Reynolds, Ross Hanlon, Callum Watson and DJ Good all on Whitley’s roster the upcoming season promises to be a hugely exciting campaign for followers of the Warriors.
Whitley’s first home game of the 2013/4 season is a challenge game against NIHL North Division 1 Champions Solway Sharks at 5pm on Sunday September 1st (Warriors play at home on Sunday evenings throughout the hockey season) and fans are being offered entrance into what will no doubt be an highly entertaining clash with the Sharks for a special promotional price of just £5.
These days a fiver doesn’t stretch too far – fish and chips maybe, or a drink or two if you’re lucky so it is hoped that the reduced admission prices for this much anticipated fixture will encourage a great number of people to try out something different and come along to Hillheads for the match and experience some north east ice hockey at its best.
Hillheads rink owner Francis Smith also shared his views on Warriors’ promotion for the Solway Sharks challenge match up.
“It’s the start of the new season and this initiative is intended to launch Warriors’ campaign. Last season was difficult for us at times, however it is already apparent that Simon has built a very competitive roster who I hope will have a hugely successful season.
“We are pitting ourselves against last year’s champions Solway Sharks so we couldn’t have a sterner test.
“The fans backed us in significant numbers last season and we hope that initiatives such as this can build on last year’s impressive fans’ support. The reduction in price is a small way of thanking our followers for their loyalty throughout previous campaigns.”
Warriors coach Simon Leach spoke of the reasons behind the promotion
“We appreciate the rink management agreeing to the price reduction for the Solway game and we hope to get a large crowd into Hillheads for the game.
“I would like to urge fans new and old to come along to the match and bring as many friends as possible with them as it’s sure to be great game.
“This is the start of a new chapter for Whitley Warriors and we are looking to put an extremely entertaining product on the ice and it would be great to have as many supporters as possible there with us at the start of our journey.”
There will also be the opportunity to ‘Meet the Players’ after the game where the Warriors will mix with the fans, happily sign autographs and chat about all things hockey related. Every supporter who comes along to the Solway game will also be entered into a raffle – there are two Warriors signed shirts and two family tickets to a future game up for grabs in the draw.
For those newcomers who come along and enjoy the Solway match, Warriors’ first NIHL North home league game of the campaign is a fortnight later on Sunday September 15th (face off 5pm) against local rivals Billingham Stars in what should be a feisty fixture – both sides will be giving everything they have to come away with that all important victory and local bragging rights.