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So, do we have a winning team?

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Always a good question just before the season starts. Well if the off-ice team is anything to go by then the answer might just be, we have. Only four weeks ago the Manchester Phoenix was looking like it may not even start the season. Although Neil Morris and his team seem to have overcome immovable obstacles to bring ice hockey back to Manchester over the last seven years, even he could not see a way forward. The organisation in the space of three weeks lost its new travel partner, car dealership, radio station and then its headline sponsor with a myriad of other affiliate sponsors. Morris commented at the time, "it has been difficult running a team that needed so much investment over the previous years while I rebuilt the organisation and brought the Community Foundation online, but with nearly 50% of the sponsors now missing even I could not see a way forward." Morris went on to say that this recession has brought him "a lot more sleepless nights than the last two."

In the last month the off-ice team have re-structured all the marketing strategies, re-profiled the commercial packages and then combined what the club has to offer with what the Foundation can do for a company's CSR program in the community. The team have contacted 1500 businesses in the North West looking for support, but of course many of them have had to reduce their overheads to a bare minimum to combat trading conditions within the current economic recession.

So the team went and talked to all the existing sponsors as well as getting out every day and meeting potential new partners. It was not long before the old faithfuls were ready to come to the aid of Manchester's fastest team sport. First to arrive was Comtec Presentations, who offered to support the team through all the cup competitions and construct and set up all of the Foundation roadshows.

Next to arrive was the team from J Davidson, Manchester's number one scrap metal processor. J Davidson is renowned for supporting the local community, and have backed the team from day one. Now they are channelling their efforts into our Community Sports Foundation, helping children to embrace recycling and teaching them the benefits it has on the planet and themselves. Managing Director Jamie Davidson said, "With the help of the Phoenix organisation we believe children can have fun learning the benefits of recycling, one of which will be raising funds for their school." J Davidson is proud to take on the position of Headline Sponsor with the Manchester Phoenix this season.

Manchester has just added one more license to the FM network with Unity Radio 92.8FM going out live last week on our airwaves. The radio station has great links within the community as well as with the student fraternity, and has built its audience over the last five years with a heavy internet and RSL presence. This radio station has already built up a great customer base and is growing from strength to strength each week, and is expected to grow a large market share with reputation and brand strength, becoming an emerging force in the market. Julian Guest, one of the founders of the station, said that "having The Manchester Phoenix as our chosen sports club fits with our profile perfectly, and believe that the partnership will not only be a commercial success but will be great fun for both parties."

Robins & Day of Sale will be introducing the Peugeot brand to the Phoenix this season, along with lots of special offers on new and used cars as well as some great servicing packages. Philip Brook, the dealer principal, said "we here at Robins & Day have followed the progress of the Manchester Phoenix with great interest over the previous years and I think I always knew that if we were going to support a sports team in the community it would be the Phoenix organisation. This is a time when a lot of motor manufacturers and car dealerships are consolidating and downsizing but at Robins & Day in Sale we believe in working that little bit harder and utilising the Manchester Phoenix is just one of a number of marketing initiatives we will employ over the next twelve months to increase our market share and ensure we can continue to offer outstanding quality and service".>/p>

Each day this week we will be featuring some of the new sponsors that have joined the Phoenix organisation. We will also be highlighting some that are returning once again, just as they have for many seasons now. Hopefully we can build a strong hockey club for the future together.

We asked Neil what he needs to keep the Phoenix alive through these very difficult trading conditions. "Well I need any commercial businesses, small or large, that would like to help me with the Foundation. It is a mammoth project to bring to fruition, especially while most business owners have their attention consumed by the economic climate. As for our supporters, all we can do is ask them to try a little harder to get to as many games as they can, maybe upgrade their seats to VIP status, buy some merchandise and attend as many events the club holds as possible, oh and keep telling everyone they meet to come and watch the Phoenix, I believe that if we all work together we can get through these difficult market conditions." While we were there he signed a personal cheque for just over a thousand pounds so that the club could give the Season Ticket holders a discount to come and watch any game not included in their package. He is hoping that by rewarding the loyal support they already have those supporters will come and get behind their team. So for any game outside of the Season Ticket package adults will pay £9.00, concessions £7.00 and children £5.00.

Neil would just like to welcome all our new partners and to thank the new marketing and sales team as well all the volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make this club what it is... a great winning team.