BLOG: Talking Clan Towers – with Gareth Chalmers

NEXT HOME GAME: It’s yet another MASSIVE home game THIS SATURDAY against the Dundee Stars (7:00pm face-off) as we look to continue #OperationPlayoffs. Tickets are available NOW via TICKETMASTER or by calling 0844 499 1700.

Hi Clan fans,

Firstly, I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Tom, Jack, Todd, Jeff and everyone at the Fife Flyers for their Gardiner Conference success last weekend. Following last Friday’s result at Braehead, it was a foregone conclusion that the Flyers would go on to win the conference. Credit to the Flyers, they’ve put together a very good team this year and one deserving of success. However, it’s still bitterly disappointing for this organisation to lose the conference after winning it for the past three season’s – it’s really a minimum requirement for us each season to achieve that. We will learn where it has gone wrong and come back stronger.

It’s been a difficult time on and off the ice recently. The day of the home game v Fife on 3rd February, Andy McLaughlin (Clan Commercial Director) got rushed into hospital after he collapsed at home. I am delighted to say he is now home with his family and certainly on the road to recovery. It came as a shock to everyone connected with the club, however he is certainly in better health now and we’re all looking forward to him returning back to the club. We also received the sad news three weeks ago that David MacLeod (Clan Equipment Manager) very sadly lost his father suddenly. David works very hard, night and day for this club and it has been a very difficult time for him. Our thoughts have been with David and his family during this period. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Sean, Callum, Stewart, Aaron, Evan and Alex for stepping up to assist even more during David’s absence.

This season certainly hasn’t gone to plan and it’s very disappointing to see us so far down the table. This is a club that has grown incredibly over the last five years and our expectation is that should be competing at the top end of the table and for the major honours every single season. Over the coming two months we will be carrying out analysis on what lessons need to be learnt, what we need to change and how we implement that to bring the success that we all want at this club. We have already started putting plans into place for next season and can assure you we intend to have a more fluent and less rushed off season. Everyone connected with the Clan wants this club to competing for EIHL championships, Champions Hockey League qualification and not battling for a playoff spot!

However, right now our focus remains on the remainder of this season – there is still a lot to play for. We are currently in eighth place, with the playoffs in sight. Losing to Fife and Coventry last weekend was a major blow, but having eight players ill, out through injury or carrying bad injuries certainly took it’s toll. It was certainly a positive to finish the weekend with a point in a difficult Nottingham building. Our focus now turns to Dundee this Saturday and a very important game. It’s our only game of the weekend and one that could provide us with an important two points. Thereafter, we have eight league games left, five here at Braehead and plenty to play for. Despite the disappointing results this season, attendances have remained strong, the Purple Army have stuck with the club and the atmosphere has remained superb at Braehead Arena. I’d like to thank each and everyone of you for supporting us during a season of change and upheaval. It’s important we have a strong finish to the season and with your continued support, anything is possible.

Thank you once again and we look forward to seeing you all on Saturday against Dundee.

Cheers

Gareth Chalmers

Hockey & Operations Director