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Sunday night, before over 200 Season Ticket Holders, the Manchester Phoenix unveiled all the new shirts the Elite League team will don for the 2008-09 season.

In total four new shirt designs were revealed and such was the interest amongst the supporters present, the desk taking orders was inundated all night long. Two years ago, Radsheep the shirt manufacturer, submitted the original Phoenix shirt designs for an industry award, and the design won outright. One of Comtec's senior designer's Helen Ford who, with her team and in conjunction with Radsheep, pioneered the Phoenix design and brand from day one was asked did she think the new designs could be winners. Helen responded, "as long as they are winners with the supporters that's what matters most to the club."

Phoenix head coach Tony Hand together with players Carl Graham and Dwight Parrish modelled the new home, away and Cup competition shirts, before the new "warm-up" shirt made its first appearance of the season.

Phoenix also unveiled two new lines of 'designer label' leisurewear in the form of ultra-lightweight polo and v-neck shirts.

The shirts are now available for purchase through the merchandise section on the club website and as the manufacturing process comes on line over the next few weeks the shirts will also be available at the White Magic Shop located within the Ice Dome in Altrincham, home of the Phoenix.

Looking ahead to the new campaign, both Carl and Dwight commented on how keen they are for the squad to assemble and get the season going. Carl advised the audience, "I'm already working hard on my fitness and stamina. I'm running a lot, am using the gym and getting some personal training assistance too. I wanted to stay in Manchester and was delighted when Tony asked me to be part of the team again. I'm as excited as the supporters to read the press releases on the new guys coming in."

Dwight Parrish is no stranger to Manchester as he played for the Phoenix in their inaugural season and he's happy to be back. "Manchester is my second home, I really like the city, my wife Nicola is from Manchester so when Tony called me it was a no-brainer to return. I always felt like there was unfinished business for me with the Phoenix and nothing would please me more than to be part of a trophy winning team here. I like the look of the squad Tony is building, we'll have depth and that's a key element to achieving success."

Tony Hand outlined some of his close season thinking on squad recruitment and he too mentioned the need for greater depth. "I looked back at last season and acknowledged that perhaps too often, we relied on the top two lines. This year I've been more determined to put together three strong lines that we can rotate equally. The decision to try and recruit eleven import players will give us that depth, whilst enabling the British players to improve their ice time and play a major part."

"We need a squad of players, all of whom will come to play every shift, every night. With no disrespect to last years' team, I felt we needed to improve in certain areas and that's what I'm trying hard to achieve," he continued.

On toughness, Tony admitted that some of the other teams appeared to stronger, but he has no doubts that Brett "The Hitman" Clouthier will take care of things in that department. "All the guys we bringing in will bring extra grit to the team, and in Brett we've got the toughest player in the league, he did after all win the Hard as Ice award last year. We've signed two more players, a forward and a defenceman and upon receiving confirmation of their work permit applications, we'll announce those names. That leaves me three more forwards to add to the squad and then make my own mind up about whether to play on or not. I enjoy playing, but need to give it some more thought once we see who fills those three forward slots. And again, I'll be looking to add further grit, strength and good depth to the roster."

Tony closed saying, "I'm very happy with the guys we've signed so far and the way the squad is shaping up. Each year you look to improve and I'm confident that we will improve this year. We'll have good goaltending coming from Stephen Murphy and Adam Summerfield, the defence has good experience, and with David Beauregard signed I think we could again have one of the leading goal scorers in the league."

Phoenix MD Neil Morris then unveiled the names of two major new partnerships for the club in the University of Bolton and Rock Radio, together with the continuation of the liaison with Imagine FM around South Manchester and Cheshire. Mr John Blower, Director of the Bolton Business School representing the University of Bolton said, "We are very excited about working with the Phoenix not just in helping attract and educate international players, but helping the club with their work within the community in Greater Manchester."

Recently Manchester's last available FM radio slot was granted to 106.1 Rock Radio and the new station has joined forces with the Phoenix to sponsor the pre-game 'warm- up' period. The Rock Radio logo features predominantly on the back of the warm up shirts.

Morris finished by thanking all the season ticket holders for their continued support and said that they would be rewarded with a new package of affiliate corporate sponsors who would all be offering them special discounts on products and services over the next few weeks. Combine this with ten per cent off merchandise and events and the season ticket is looking the most attractive ticket on sale. The club is expecting another rush on season ticket sales as the Early Bird pricing offer doesn't expire until July 31st 2008.

Link

• Buy Home, Away, and Warm-up replica shirts.

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