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Phoenix fans give owner Neil Morris a huge vote of approval

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Hundreds of Manchester Phoenix fans gave owner Neil Morris a huge vote of approval at a packed public meeting in the city centre last night.

Further plans for a new arena were revealed during the event at The Mercure Hotel in Manchester Piccadilly, as the club builds for the new English Premier League season.

Those proposals could see a 3-000 seater temporary rink built, with land within the city having already been earmarked for the development.

Mr Morris, who has been at the helm of Manchester Phoenix since the club was formed in 2003, was delighted with the turnout.

He said: “People talk about this club being a family, and it’s true. Seeing so many people here tonight was wonderful and we’ll all defend this club from the top to the bottom. I wouldn’t have stayed here all these years, and put so much effort in, if it wasn’t for the fans. It is so exciting when you think how the new arena will help to put this club on the map in Manchester. It can be hard when we’ve got the world’s richest football club just around the corner, but it just means we have to work hard. The people here are good, loyal and love the Phoenix. That is why we want to protect this club for them.”

Phoenix Head Coach Tony Hand MBE, and Red Hockey CEO Wayne Scholes, both spoke to fans at the meeting via Skype.

Mr Scholes said: “The plans we have for Manchester are so exciting, and there are lots of things that I can’t tell anyone about yet. Suffice to say, in the next six or seven weeks, there are going to be some very cool announcements coming out about this club."

Supporters were also told of contingency plans to play elsewhere next season, with free transport for ticket holders.

Paul Baker, Director of Red Hockey, said he was “overwhelmed” by the reaction of the club’s fanbase.

He said: “Tonight just speaks volumes about the passion behind this club, that they voted with their feet. You can see that they are 100 per cent behind this club, they love it and are interested in it. The people at Manchester Phoenix have an emotional connection to the club, and it was overwhelming to see so many here this evening. Wayne Scholes spoke to us via Skype, and he’s a guy with big visions. We want to make them happen in Manchester. I’ve no doubt that we can achieve those goals. It will be fantastic for this club to have a permanent arena to play out of in the near future. Nobody will be able to kick the Phoenix out, or tell them to leave. It will be their home.”