Putting Paisley back into the Pirates

Jan 20 2009 Paisley Daily Express

BOSSES of The Pirates ice hockey team are to reinstate ‘Paisley’ to their name.

The ice hockey stars, who play out of Braehead Arena, will now be renamed the Braehead Paisley Pirates.

And, along with a new name, the Pirates also have a new man at the helm, with former Great Britain ice hockey internationalist Scott Neil taking over the running of the club.

Neil – a well-respected figure who had a successful playing career at the top level of British ice hockey with the Murrayfield Racers and Sheffield Steelers – is owner of Elite League outfit Edinburgh Capitals.

And, with his experience of running an ice hockey team in the top UK league, Neil is confident he can put together a successful Pirates crew to run the club and put the team on a sound financial and organisational footing.

After a meeting with Renfrewshire Council leader Derek Mackay, one of the first moves he made was to bring ‘Paisley’ back into the team’s name.

Neil said: “Councillor Mackay put forward a compelling case for the name Paisley to be reinstated and, considering the tradition of ice hockey in the town going back to the 1950s, I had to agree with him.

“I know that, when the Paisley name was dropped, a lot of fans were unhappy and haven’t been coming along to watch the team.

“I can now say to them ‘You’ve got your team back just like the old days and we’ll be glad to see you back cheering on the Braehead Paisley Pirates’”.

The first game for the team under their new name is tonight against bitter rivals Fife Flyers in the FFDR Trophy at Braehead Arena, with a 7.45pm face-off.

Councillor Mackay said: “I had a very constructive meeting with Scott and he has some exciting ideas, which will not only benefit the Braehead Paisley Pirates but also ice hockey at all levels and young people in general throughout Renfrewshire.”

Neil continued: “We already have a fantastic team of hard-working volunteers who have done a sterling job keeping the Pirates ship afloat this season.

“Along with that continuing support and dedication, I aim to take the Paisley Pirates forward into next season with a new professionalism, which will hopefully result in more sponsorship, better promotion and marketing and, ultimately, a better team on the ice that will give the fans something to cheer about.

“As well as making sure we have the best possible team – playing a brand of old-time hockey that supporters enjoy – we will also be making hockey night at Braehead Arena more entertaining for everyone.

“There will be plenty of razzmatazz to go along with an exciting-to-watch Pirates team and we want everyone who comes along to be going home having enjoyed their night and wanting to come back for more the following week.”

Pirates lost 8-1 to a strong Dundalk Bulls side packed with American, Canadian and Eastern European players on Saturday at Braehead.

And, on Sunday, they were narrowly defeated 5-4 away to Solway Sharks.

Neil said: “Results haven’t been going Pirates’ way of late this season, which is in its closing stages, but we start building a bigger, better and stronger Braehead Paisley Pirates right now.

“I don’t see any problems over my involvement with the Edinburgh Capitals as they play in a different league from the Pirates. In fact, we will shortly be announcing ticketing arrangements for certain games, which will financially benefit both the Pirates and the Capitals.

“Obviously, I’m still fully committed to the Edinburgh Capitals but, for the sake of the future of Scottish ice hockey, we need as many successful teams playing at all levels.

“That’s why I got involved with the Pirates, to do my best to make sure they are a strong team in their league and, if they are, everyone in Scottish ice hockey benefits – including the Capitals.”