Under the spotlight: Neil Morris

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The Season Ticket information has been published, and the questions have been flooding in. Richard Allan has today put some of your questions to Managing Director Neil Morris in the hope of setting a few minds at rest and also getting an insight into Neil's views on the Season Tickets, the new rink, and the teams that will be playing there.

Richard Allan: The past month has been pretty hectic, with new coach Tony Hand making headway with signings for the new team, the Junior Trials taking place, and the Season Tickets going on sale. How are you feeling?

Neil Morris: I wish I could say that it has been easy but it has been very hard work. Tony has been relentless in his search to bring new talent to Manchester. I think his wife is getting suspicious as him and Andy Costigan are never off the telephone to each other! No seriously, she is more aware of Tony’s work ethic than anyone. I gave the man a brief which was to find us a team that had toughness, speed, character, all underpinned with agility and talent, and he has just gone to work. I can tell you all that our new coach is very low maintenance and very professional with his attitude towards our club. I have to say that without the infrastructure that surrounds me we would never have made it this far.

Paul Brown has brought together a team of very dedicated and competent people who will help run our new Junior development programme, fortunately due to their vast experience in junior hockey the process has been made very painless for all of those involved. When Tony met the new coaching staff a few weeks back, he was very comfortable with all the coaches and looks forward to working with them all. Bringing the club back on line has taken a lot of people a lot of their time. As you know our club could not function without the support of the design and web teams, office staff, event organisers and the many volunteers that come rain or shine are always there for me and this club…there are just too many of you to name, but please never forget, this is your club and I am very proud to be involved with all of you.

RA: So far Tony Hand has recruited a balance of British and Import players. How happy are you with the signings that Tony has made so far?

NM: I believe that the signings Tony has made so far are very good; obviously the proof of the pudding will be how we do on the ice. I have a lot of confidence in Tony Hand not because of his reputation as an ice hockey player or even his past history as a coach but in the way he works. I asked Tony to join us in Manchester because when we spoke he made me believe we could achieve great things in our new Arena from a blank piece of paper. On a weekly basis, he continually infuses me with confidence, you really cannot ask more than that from anybody.

RA: Since the beginning of the EIHL, it seems that one of the aims has been to include and develop as many British players as is feasible. How far do Phoenix buy into that ethos?

NM: Strange question. We have employed a British coach, signed six British players (whoops five), are in the process of building a complete junior development programme under the Elite League team for the first time in Manchester. Maybe you should answer this one…how far do you think we’re buying into that ethos?

RA: The Junior Trials attracted around 120 young players over the two days. Is that figure about what you hoped for?

NM: If I’m brutally honest, I really don’t know what I hoped for. I just want these players to enjoy their hockey and be part of building a really great junior development system… And whichever team plays for Manchester be there when they win. I am told that we have had a really great turnout and that we will ice good competitive teams, I don’t think I could have expected any more.

RA: How will the junior teams fit in with the existing Elite League team set-up?

NM: The ideal scenario is that over time we will attract more youngsters into the sport, that they will receive the best level of coaching we can possibly provide and that that coaching and their own determination to succeed will see some or even all knocking on the door of the Elite League squad in years to come. Ultimately, the first time someone is called up from our own junior ranks to the senior squad, plays and enjoys the experience, then we’ll truly have achieved a goal of this club. And that achievement will only serve to spur us on to produce even more talent for future Phoenix rosters.

RA: The Season Ticket and Gate Ticket prices have now been published. Have there been many takers so far?

NM: We have now taken orders for just over 200 season tickets. We have gained permission from the league to sell up to 1000, as we believe that this is the only way we will be able to look after all the loyal fans that have supported us over the previous years. We anticipate allocating 500 for our commercial sponsors, VIP’S, club representatives and guests. Already we have three clubs asking for 500 tickets for their supporters when we first meet in the new season that may only leave 300 hundred seats and 200 standing available for general sale.

RA: How much has the cost of the new rink been a factor in the pricing structure of the Season Tickets and Gate Tickets?

NM: I don’t think it is a secret that the new Arena is a multi-million pound project based over five years. With this in mind we were probably never going to be the cheapest sporting ticket in town. However if you check out the single gate admission charges at both local speedway, rugby & division one football we are…I think that this is fantastic news as we will be playing out of a brand new purpose built Arena and still be competitive with other local professional sports clubs. Just for the record, if we were still based at the MEN Arena with the proposed increase in rental we would have to be selling tickets at £16.50 now just to survive.

RA: Will Season Tickets be transferable? Some fans have asked whether they can let someone else use their ticket when they aren't able to.

NM: As in our last season there is a transfer card available for up two people that are registered with the club to be able to utilise somebody else’s season ticket.

RA: Are there any areas where you could have cut some corners to bring the ticket price down a little?

NM: There are always others ways to decrease the cost of a product in any business; however, we have to make sure that we meet our fans expectations. Some clubs have decided to not spend as much money on their playing roster to keep gate tickets down. Other clubs choose not to invest in the match night entertainment, some do not run a marketing department… there are many ways to reduce costs. The problem is most of them have an impact on the overall experience. Tony has been given the brief to recruit a team within the limitations of the wage cap. The club is at the moment investing in video cameras, large screen video, intelligent lights, sound systems complete with an array of special effects and a team of professionals to run it all. My belief and commitment is that game night at the Phoenix will be a great night out for everybody.

RA: It's been pointed out that with ten teams in the league, each team will most likely play 27 home games and yet the Phoenix Season Ticket is for 24 games. Why is that?

NM: Even in the days of the Storm the season ticket only covered around 25 games. Many clubs in our league do the same as it will always be a safe number. As we made this decision before the acceptance of Hull, we have decided to stick to it. Season ticket holders will still get first choice and any special offers for their seat for both league and cup games ahead of anybody else.

RA: With the new rink still in construction, is there a contingency plan for the start of the season if the rink isn't finished in time?

NM: The contractors tell me that at absolute worse we may be up to 10 days late. We are already preparing to play our first 2 weekends on the road. After what we have been through with Ice Sports in Manchester over the last five years this seems a very small price to pay. The most important point is that we will have our own Ice Sports Arena in Manchester to cater for both professional and amateur Ice Hockey, Figure Skating, Dance and Community Leisure.

RA: Are there any plans to play any pre-season friendlies?

NM: It is difficult to say at the moment. I think an honest answer would have to be no, not at home for our first season. Having said that, if an acceptable alternative opportunity arises we’ll give it due consideration.

RA: When Phoenix played in the 2003-2004 season, some of the feedback from the fans was that the match night entertainment was good by the end of the season, but a little rough at the start. How important is it to have a strong off-ice entertainment factor, and what plans do Phoenix have for the forthcoming season?

NM: I think we will take what we have learnt from the 2003-2004 season and improve upon it. As I said earlier we are at present investing in thousands and thousands of pounds worth of equipment and personnel to ensure every night at The Phoenix starts with a bang. With the team Tony tells me he is constructing, there’s a good chance it will finish on a high.

RA: As well as the rink itself, what else will be housed in the Altrincham Ice Dome building? Will there be a hockey kit shop?

NM: There will also be a hockey shop, a licensed bar, public skate hire, and on-site catering.

RA: Will there be on-site parking for fans once the new rink opens?

NM: There will be parking directly in front of the new Arena as well as across the road in the Tesco car park.

RA: Now that the Trials are completed and the Season Ticket information has been released, will things be getting a little more relaxed for you now, or will this pace continue right through the summer? Are you ever going to get a day off?

NM: I never thought I would see you develop a sense of humour! Let me think, I am still running one of the most successful Marketing Communications Houses in the UK, constructing an Ice Sports Arena and bringing the Manchester Phoenix back on line….Days off are for wimps or people with a life!

Joking aside, I cannot thank all the people and fans that have helped keep Ice Sports alive in Manchester over the past few years, you really are great I can’t wait to be back with you all in September. A big, big thank you to you all. I promise you that good times will be back all over again, just being a part of that will be good enough for me.

Remember keep the faith!

Neil Morris was interviewed by Richard Allan on Monday July 3rd 2006

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