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Bison bus breakdown forces game re-arrangement

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Manchester Phoenix had to call off Sunday's home game in the bmibaby Elite League after the bus carrying their opponents, the Basingstoke Bison developed insurmountable problems en route to Altrincham.

Phoenix learned just over two hours before the game was scheduled to begin that the Basingstoke team had been delayed on the M6 near Birmingham and reports suggested the bus had suffered some form of fire. Despite efforts to secure a replacement bus from Coventry, Phoenix officials in constant contact with both the Basingstoke team and Elite League officials, were left with little alternative than to postpone the game.

Phoenix GM Andy Costigan, "The last thing we need right now is to have to re-schedule another game, but we were left with little alternative. Basingstoke might not have arrived till after 7pm and that would have meant supporters sitting around for upwards of two hours or more for the game to eventually begin. We were not happy at this prospect and so after a hasty check of the fixture schedule, we think the only possible date we can play Basingstoke in Altrincham will be Tuesday, March 3rd. We can only apologise to our supporters for this, but things were totally out of our hands and we were left with little or no alternative. Needless to say, all those supporters who purchased tickets for tonight's game will be admitted to the fixture on tonight's tickets, irrespective of when the game is played."

Phoenix are next in action on Thursday evening at 7.15pm in the second leg of the Knockout Cup semi-final against the Newcastle Vipers before returning to league action on Saturday 28th with a 6.30pm face-off against the Coventry Blaze.

UPDATE

The re-scheduled date for this fixture has now been agreed and ratified by the league. The game will take place on Tuesday March 3rd, with a 7:15pm face-off.