Wightlink Raiders

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Wightlink Raiders

League:

EPIHL

Founded:

1991

Home Ice:

Ryde Arena

Capacity:

1000

Ice Size:

165ft x 80ft

City:

Ryde, Isle Of Wight, United Kingdom

Colours:

White, Green, Black

Captain:

Steve Gannaway

Head Coach:

Scott Carter

Ownership:

Jason & Esme Coles

The Wightlink Raiders are an ice hockey team based in Ryde on the Isle of Wight. They are sponsored by Wightlink and play in the second-tier English Premier Ice Hockey League. The team are known for their small ice rink, which has in the past barred them from competing at a higher level. In the 1990s, they dominated the English National League (now called the English Premier League), winning the league a record five straight years, including winning the league's cup competition during that time as well. In one season, they won every game they played while in another, they lost just once all season. However, as the competition grew stronger, the Raiders found it increasingly difficult to compete, and since 1997 they have won just one major honour - the English Premier League Cup in 2003. In the 2004/2005 season, the highlight for the side came when they beat favourites Milton Keynes in the semi-finals of the English Premier League Cup. This was more remarkable as Milton Keynes - who had dominated the league - were leading 5-2 but eventually lost 9-6. Many fans described this game as one of the best ever for the Raiders. Sadly the team couldn't win the cup many felt they deserved, losing to Peterborough in the final. The team also surprised many by mounting a title challenge in the English Premier League in the 2004/2005 season, eventually finishing joint second again behind Milton Keynes. However, the 2005/2006 season was the club's worst ever performance wise. The team lost it's main sponsor - Steve Porter Transport - and with it a majority of its budget. This meant the roster suffered severely with players leaving and only junior players replacing them apart from one new import signing (Brian McGlaughlin). With the English Premier League welcoming in four new teams - including Guildford who have a budget many times that of the Raiders - results soon suffered. The team lost its joint coach Andy Pickles mid-way through the campaign, and would eventually finish the season bottom of the table - the club's worst ever position. However, despite the team's awful season - average crowds were still one of the highest in the league, and optimism is high the side will be much stronger for the 2006/7 season. The campaign was also remembered for a mass brawl involving both teams after the final hooter following a 3-2 loss at home to Peterborough. According to several fans at the game, a Peterborough player made an obscene gesture to the crowd. Wightlink player Chris Crombie then became involved in a fight with an opposition player and many players from both sides, including management, became involved. Tensions were high after the Raiders had seen a goal disallowed twenty seconds from time which would've secured a draw. The end of game man of the match awards were abandoned for the first time in the Raider's history - news that made the national press. Wightlink player Norman Pinnington was banned for 18 games for his part in the brawl. Wightlink raiders have begun their 2006/2007 campaign with 10 new players to the roster, those players being - Chris White, James Francis, Will Francis, Carl Graham, Mark McCoy, JJ Mcgrath, Stewart Tait, Liam Doyle, Nicky Watt, Greg Blais, after a busy closed period for the management team. They have picked up two new team sponsors for the season Deep Consultants and Fastro Developments.

Wightlink Raiders Player Coach Jason Coles steped down as coach early in the 2006/2007 season, taking his place as the teams new bench coach is Scott Carter, a former player for the team who will only now play in the event of injury or suspentions. Jason Coles is concentrating on his playing and remains with the team.

The teams 2006/2007 campaign got off to a bad start, failing to pick up a single point in their first eight games. A new import netminder, canadian Greg Blais was brough in, in an attempt to stem the number of goals being conceeded. And Now the raiders have the Loss of JJ Mcgrath who was released from the team, and the inclusion of Former Slough Jets forward Nicky Watt.

Wightlink Raiders picked up their first win of the 2006/07 season after a run of 16 defeats. Wightlink beat Chelmsford Cheiftens 5-4 in Essex on Sunday 5th Nov 06 the first away win for the club since Feb 05.

Originally called the Solent Vikings, the team changed to their current name a year later, although they were known as the Isle of Wight Raiders between 1999 and 2003 when Wightlink withdrew sponsorship, before the company re-joined the club in 2004. Contrary to popular belief - Wightlink do not give the Raiders any cash as part of the sponsor deal - they simply provide free cross-Solent ferry travel. This saves the club many thousands of pounds in travel costs.