This season, 2018-19, marks the first season of no Elite League hockey in the Scottish capital. After years of flirting with uncertainty, the Capitals finally succumbed to a very sad end in April 2018 when a consortium led by David Hand (brother of "Sir" Tony) won the ice contract at the rink. Hand pressed then for a Elite League franchise to be awarded to his "Murrayfield Racers" but this was declined by the EIHL board. This decision ensured that no top level hockey would be in Edinburgh after 13 seasons.
You have to feel for the fans who supported the Capitals through those thick and thin times, they deserve better. One of those fans, Chris Gent, has agreed to talk about a few things and from his replies, you can taste the passion he has for his hockey club. We bring you the first part of the interview right here, so please read on...
HB: How sad was it to see the Caps finish in the way they did?
CG: Well to be fair last season was tough to start with. The failed
Russian recruitment strategy really hurt the club and left us open to this
situation. I think the saddest part of it all was the response was in place.
Scott needed help to run the club, you could argue it should have been well
before, but a new structure was in place and I'd seen it start to take shape.
More experience, shared accountability, investment. This season would have been
stronger, but it wasn't to be. Can't explain losing your club to folk who
haven't. Then to see what's unfolded since, the drop in standard in Edinburgh
this year, hammer blow for our sport. Many will now drift away from ice hockey
sadly. I love the sport but can't simply ignore all that's happened, I'll be at
some EIHL games though.
HB: If anyone is to blame for it, whom in your opinion should carry
the can for it and why?
CG: Shared blame. I think the Caps organisation could have done more
especially last season, there were obvious issues. At times it felt fans were
taken for granted. That for me left the door ajar for this move. The rink I
also blame, they showed a complete disregard for ice hockey in their stance
that they would side with Racers regardless of the level of hockey they have on
show. Personal issues over what's best for the public and I'm the end their own
income. The Racers are also very much to blame. Their botched attempt to get in
to the EIHL then the NIHL showed to me they didn't have half the business case
they had folk believe. If you're moving in to improve ice hockey in Edinburgh
and you are not certain you are in the Elite, fall on your sword when rejected
and let us get back to the top league hockey we had. Their intentions were
good, but they've knocked the sport back in Edinburgh for years as a spectator
sport.
HB: Could anything have been
done to save the Caps?
CG: No more could have been
done within Caps over the summer. As I said yes, previously, a better structure
years back. But this summer no. The rink had made up their mind it was Racers,
and despite an "Elite or nothing" statement from them they were never
letting go of control once in.
HB: Were the EIHL right to
refuse the application from the “Murrayfield Racers”?
CG: Tough one as I feel
Edinburgh could run an Elite League team. Ultimately we need a new venue to
truly step up, major advertising and I'd want a new brand altogether. In this
case though yes I do think the EIHL got it right. A small fan base already then
divided and business case with allegedly was overly optimistic in terms of fans
means it wasn't solid enough. This city should have Elite, better managed,
stronger, but Dundee, Glasgow and Kirkcaldy are there and not Edinburgh. That's
gutting.
Part two of our interview with Chris will appear later this week.
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