will there be a EIHL next season?

[Keith Sheppard]

Attending games will be vastly different I think. I can see only half of the arena available to try and keep spectators further apart and then the use of live streaming or webcasts for fans that want to watch the game.

I had thought about Sheffield having a capacity of 4000 and spreading the spectators out, but there are other issues involved such as congregating on the concourse, toilets etc. If this could all be resolved and the games could be played with half capacity crowds, it might be workable for the big arena teams such as us, Nott's and Belfast, but how could the smaller rink teams such as Guilford, Manchester, Dundee and Fife afford to put a decent side out with so few fans being able to watch the games? There really has to be a situation where all the clubs have to be able to survive, not just the Arena teams. To accomplish this it might be that we have to miss a season.

[FlamesFan]

The smaller clubs will need a full seasons revenue to make it work, as they need the gate money to fund flights, visas etc, as well as sponsorship. A mini season means pro rated sponsorship etc, so far less income. I also think sponsorship will be hard to come by as organisations tighten their belts.

I can only see a season of hockey in 2021/22 and wouldn’t be buying a season ticket. Queuing to get into the Guildford would be a nightmare as we have a swimming pool etc, so the social distancing would be a challenge, as well as leaving. I can imagine that will be even worse in bigger venues.

The only way out of this is a vaccine, or herd immunity.

[DimTim]

October the planned resumption of the 2020/21 season is a long way away - about 5 months. Where were we 5 months ago - beginning of December 2019. Covid had not even arrived.

I see the government have referred Social Distancing back to the experts SAGE. World Health Organisation recommend 1m distance apart. To get the country moving it wouldn’t surprise me, particularly using public transport, there is a change to 1m apart but with face protection.

If we can prevent a re-occurrence as we move to the ‘New Normal’ there will be pressure from the hospitality industry, pubs especially, to open. Wetherspoons are already trying to pressure the government suggesting opening in June.

It may well be a totally different landscape by September allowing some sort of league to commence.

[Jayboy]

The smaller clubs will need a full seasons revenue to make it work, as they need the gate money to fund flights, visas etc, as well as sponsorship. A mini season means pro rated sponsorship etc, so far less income. I also think sponsorship will be hard to come by as organisations tighten their belts.

I can only see a season of hockey in 2021/22 and wouldn’t be buying a season ticket. Queuing to get into the Guildford would be a nightmare as we have a swimming pool etc, so the social distancing would be a challenge, as well as leaving. I can imagine that will be even worse in bigger venues.

The only way out of this is a vaccine, or herd immunity.

I and I for one am not willing to contribute the the herd immunity model... NO WAY

[SteelerBlade]

The smaller clubs will need a full seasons revenue to make it work, as they need the gate money to fund flights, visas etc, as well as sponsorship. A mini season means pro rated sponsorship etc, so far less income. I also think sponsorship will be hard to come by as organisations tighten their belts.

I can only see a season of hockey in 2021/22 and wouldn’t be buying a season ticket. Queuing to get into the Guildford would be a nightmare as we have a swimming pool etc, so the social distancing would be a challenge, as well as leaving. I can imagine that will be even worse in bigger venues.

The only way out of this is a vaccine, or herd immunity.

I and I for one am not willing to contribute the the herd immunity model... NO WAY

Herd immunity is the only way. All a vaccination is is artificial herd immunity.

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[Jayboy]

The smaller clubs will need a full seasons revenue to make it work, as they need the gate money to fund flights, visas etc, as well as sponsorship. A mini season means pro rated sponsorship etc, so far less income. I also think sponsorship will be hard to come by as organisations tighten their belts.

I can only see a season of hockey in 2021/22 and wouldn’t be buying a season ticket. Queuing to get into the Guildford would be a nightmare as we have a swimming pool etc, so the social distancing would be a challenge, as well as leaving. I can imagine that will be even worse in bigger venues.

The only way out of this is a vaccine, or herd immunity.

I and I for one am not willing to contribute the the herd immunity model... NO WAY

Herd immunity is the only way. All a vaccination is is artificial herd immunity.

Give me the artificial herd immunity then, but you know what I meant...
At least 1.8 million cant even dream about doing it the natural way.. and I am one of them...

[DiscoRay]

Herd immunity is the only way. All a vaccination is is artificial herd immunity.

You do know that for herd immunity to work, it would require 47 million people in the UK alone to get infected, right?

[smbmetal]

I guess another related question is, will the EIHL have a full compliment of teams?

I don’t think they’ll be any government grants like in other sports. Some teams always seem to be close to the breadline. How long can they last without support?

[Greenbunch257]

Logistically it will be a nightmare for the clubs. It's not only about the players and keeping them safe. The bigger the club the bigger the arena the more fans the bigger the problems. I hope there will be a season of some sort. Already ordered season tickets so the league will have to make a decision soon as the cash flow and budgets will need to be worked out. Like I say I hope there will be a season, but people will be nervous about attending, especially if there are thousands. The safety measures maybe to great and the money required excessive to run a full season. I can see the knock on effects of this stretching to 21/22season if there is any ice hockey left. I certainly need to feel safe before I will attend any game. Do we know if the new plant is still being installed or will that be another casualty of this?

[Jayboy]

Logistically it will be a nightmare for the clubs. It's not only about the players and keeping them safe. The bigger the club the bigger the arena the more fans the bigger the problems. I hope there will be a season of some sort. Already ordered season tickets so the league will have to make a decision soon as the cash flow and budgets will need to be worked out. Like I say I hope there will be a season, but people will be nervous about attending, especially if there are thousands. The safety measures maybe to great and the money required excessive to run a full season. I can see the knock on effects of this stretching to 21/22season if there is any ice hockey left. I certainly need to feel safe before I will attend any game. Do we know if the new plant is still being installed or will that be another casualty of this?

Great point, I had forgot about that?