BLOG: Talking Clan Towers 15 – with Gareth Chalmers

NEXT HOME GAME: The Guildford Flames make their first ever visit to Braehead Arena on Sunday 12th November (6:00pm face-off) in what will be an exciting match-up. Tickets are available NOW via TICKETMASTER, by calling 0844 499 1700 or direct at the Braehead Arena box office.

Hi Purple Army,

As I write my blog this week we are busy finalising a deal to bring in 24-year-old Czech defenceman Michal Gutwald to the club, which eventually fills our final import spot. The process to get that final defenceman through the door has been incredibly frustrating for us, we thought we had a couple of deals tied up previously only for players to decide that they wanted to wait for a better deal in Europe or felt they needed more money. What we liked about Michal is he is young, hungry and wants to win, he wanted to play for Braehead! That’s exactly what we need and certainly food for thought regarding our recruitment heading into the future. John, Richard and Brendan wanted to bring in some size to their blue-line and with Michal, at 6’ 2” and 200lbs they certainly got that – I am sure everyone will join me in welcoming Michal to the Clan.

Do the changes stop there? As John said in his post game interview following the game in Sheffield, NO! We aren’t happy with the start of the season. This organisation should be higher up the league table and we’ve been analysing for sometime what isn’t going right. If we come across players that we feel will improve the team on and off the ice, we will have no hesitation making further changes. Every single day, John and myself are talking to players and agents throughout the world looking at what is available and what will improve this hockey club.

While we’re not happy with the start to the season, to bring some perspective to our current situation, following this Saturday’s game in Edinburgh we will have played 4 EIHL games at home and 10 away from Braehead Arena. On home ice we have picked up 5 points from 4 games, while on the road 4 points from 9 games. This time last year we had a very similar overall record, we’d had regular home games during September and October and were heading into November, the whole month away from Braehead due to the Curling. We have some very important games coming up and we are expecting some improved results and continuity.

I hope everyone that attended, enjoyed the OSC Halloween Party on Tuesday night. The OSC are a very important and integral part of this organisation and one I call on every member of the Purple Army to join and support. They are the fans body, they are there for the fans, they voluntary organise superb events for the club, organise travel all over the country and even sponsor the club for £15,000 every single season. I strongly believe we have the best OSC in the country! A number of other Supporters Clubs around the EIHL have copied/mirrored every single aspect of our OSC setup, that is testament to the superb work that has been put in by the committee over the past three to four years. If you’re not already a member, I encourage any of the Purple Army to join straight away!

Thanks for your continued support!

Thanks

Gareth Chalmers

Hockey & Operations Director