News Article | 18th March 2009 » A New Era for the Copthorne Sheffield Scimitars

16th March 2009.

The Copthorne Sheffield Scimitars' team owner, Martin Birch, is delighted to announce that he has managed to attract some much needed business support for the Premier League ice hockey club. Mr Birch advised supporters at the beginning of this season that this would be his last as the boss of the South Yorkshire team where he has seen the emergence of the Club as major force in British Ice Hockey since their move to Ice Sheffield.

Mr Birch has been working tirelessly behind the scenes trying to attract new blood to join the existing management team. The Club's image has been transformed in recent months and is in great shape on and off the ice which is a testament to the hard work by Martin and his team.

Speaking today he said "I believe I have found the right people to join the Scimitars who will take this great Club forward and build on the work of my colleagues these last six or so years."

A new Executive Board has been formed which will be led by Gary Apsley and Ian Johnson who have a wealth of business and ice hockey experience and have been the driving force behind the Sutton Sting junior club who staged the Charity Pro-Am Ice Hockey match that raised £30,000 for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Appeal last August.

Mr Johnson said "I am thrilled to be joining one of the biggest and most successful clubs in British Ice Hockey and hope that we can build a sustainable club for the future based on the solid foundations that have been created under Martin's stewardship of this great club."

Mr Birch will become the Club's first Honorary President when he steps down as Managing Director at the end of the season and tells the supporters not to worry about the future, he assures the supporters about the bright future ahead for the Scimitars by saying; "These two men will carry-on the Scimitars tradition. They understand the importance of home-grown talent from the grass-roots up and more importantly they understand business which is a major part of sport nowadays," he went on to say "I hope that everyone connected with Sheffield Scimitars gets right behind them as they look to take the team and the Club to the next level and I am delighted they accepted my invitation to get on board with us".

The Scimitars, who are coached by Sheffield legend, Ron Shudra, have just qualified for the EPL Play-off's, although they have a tough run-in to the end of the league campaign and the next big game is a SAVER NIGHT this Saturday 21st March 7.30pm at iceSheffield versus Romford Raiders, when all adult tickets are just £5 and all concessions £1.

Mr. Apsley said "We had a look at the team last weekend in their magnificent win against Swindon Wildcats and Ian and I are looking forward to the game this weekend where we hope to see a big crowd to help celebrate and welcome the new era for the Club".

The new appointments were also welcomed by the Scimitars Academy who look after the junior development within the Sheffield Club. Neil Ritchie, Chairman of the Academy said "It is good news for the Academy as the EPL team is a crucial and integral part of the whole academy structure. The addition of Ian Johnson and Gary Apsley, who I know well, will give us all an opportunity to work together to take our collective ambition to a new level for the benefit of kids and seniors alike."

ends -

Gary Apsley is 45 years old, born in Manchester and now lives in Chesterfield with his wife Denise and 2 boys who both play ice hockey. He is a company director with interests in property and construction.

Ian Johnson is 37 years old from Thurcroft, Rotherham, he is married to Joanne and they have three children, two of whom play ice hockey. He is a director of a Heating and Ventilation Contracting business.

Announcements

Sheffield Steeldogs - New Website

The Sheffield Steeldogs are in the process of setting up a new website, but in the meantime, all news will be posted on an interim Home page at: http://www.sheffieldsteeldogs.co.uk An...

Update for all Sheffield Steeldogs' Fans

New Website Page for Updates: www.sheffieldsteeldogs.co.uk The Sheffield Scimitars' website will no longer be used for updates for Sheffield Steeldogs announcements. We are working on...

Latest News and Reports

• A New Start
• FANS' FORUM - Friday 16th July, 7pm
• A New Era for Sheffield

Help the Scimitars

Find out more about how you can Help the Scimitars.

Sponsors

• 
  Hotels Sheffield

Sheffield Scimitars in the Community

Affiliation