Fylde Flyers were an English ice hockey team based in Cleveleys, Lancashire founded in 2011. They play in the English National Ice Hockey League, North Two. Home games are played at the Sub Zero Ice Rink, Cleveleys. The team lasted for only 2 seasons due to the small nature of their home rink at Cleveleys leading to the inability to attract players that would allow them to be competitive.

Fylde Flyers
CityCleveleys, Lancashire
LeagueEnglish National Ice Hockey League
ConferenceNorth
DivisionTwo
Founded2011
Operated2011-2013
Home arenaSub Zero Ice Rink
Colourstangerine, black, white      
Owner(s)Sub Zero Leisure Ltd
General managerMick Caunce
Head coachMark Gillingham Peter Bleackley Garry Fearon
Websitewww.FyldeFlyers.co.uk

History

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The Fylde coast had been without an ice hockey team since the demise of Blackpool Seagulls in 1993. In July 2011 it was announced that Fylde Flyers were to begin playing at the recently opened Sub Zero Ice Rink in Cleveleys and would compete in their inaugural season in the English National Ice Hockey League, North Two division.[1][2] The team included former HK Prizma Riga player Elvis Veldze who has represented Latvia at under-20 level.[3][4] The current captain is Wayne Whitby[5] Their first ever game was a 4–0 victory over Lancashire Raptors at Blackburn Arena on 10 September 2011. The first home game was a 9–4 win over Bradford Bulldogs on 10 December 2011.[6]

The Flyers finished the 2011–12 season in 6th place with back-to-back victories: 9–3 over Hull Stingrays at home on 14 April 2012, and then 7–0 over Lancashire Raptors at Blackburn Ice Arena the following day. All-time top points scorer #77 Bobby Caunce Currently with Blackburn Hawks with 45 goals 52 Assist 97 points in 50 games over the two seasons. All-time top penalty minutes #8 Anthony Melbourne currently with Blackpool Seagulls with 209 mins in 51 games played over the two seasons. [7]

Current squad

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Goaltenders
Number Player Catches Born
32   Stephen Gilmartin Fleetwood, England
39   Samuel Heyes Blackrod, England
?   Lewis McBride Altrincham, England
Defencemen
Number Player Shoots Born
4   Daniel Bracegirdle Poulton-le-Fylde, England
11   Wayne Whitby Blackpool, England
19   Matthew Gibson Great Harwood, England
21   Joseph Hall
23   Daniel Fearon Blackpool, England
41   Chris Wells
44   Jack Jones Blackpool, England
69   Chris Butcher
Forwards
Number Player Shoots Born
3   Andrew Clark Fleetwood, England
7   Mark Gillingham Blackpool, England
8   Antony Melbourne Blackpool, England
33   Danny Jones Blackpool, England
68   Joe Charlton Blackpool, England
9   Sam Chaddock Warrington, Lancashire
10   Kurtis Hall Blackpool, England
14   Stewart Marriott Belfast, Northern Ireland
15   Tom Murphy Blackpool, England
16   Richard Hulme Blackpool, England
40   Elvis Veldze Latvia
81   Janis Grinbergs Latvia
77   Bobby Caunce Blackpool, England
?   Bradley Valentine Manchester, England
?  

References

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  1. ^ "Popular sport back in Blackpool". Blackpool Gazette. 18 July 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  2. ^ "Ice hockey Flyers ready for take-off". Blackpool Gazette. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  3. ^ "Elvis Veldze profile". eurohockey.com. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  4. ^ "Latvian U-20 ice hockey team stuns Russia in friendly". The Baltic Course. 23 December 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  5. ^ "Fylde flying so high". Blackpool Gazette. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  6. ^ "Ice Hockey: Fylde Flyers Soar To Victory In First Ever Home Match". bestkeptsecrets. 10 December 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  7. ^ "North 2". English Ice Hockey Association. Archived from the original on 15 February 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
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