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These exhibition games vs Cardiff Devils and Manchester Storm seem a bit lazy... what ever happened to playing a decent european side we've rarely ever played before... it used to be a proper treat facing a team we won't see 4 or 5 times in the season anyway.. i would rather play Leeds Knights and Steeldogs than Cardiff and Manchester...!

Jayboy

I can't say I'm bothered about European opposition, but a game at Leeds Knights would be good.

It would be a relatively gentle introduction into the season so should give new players a chance to get a few points and boost their confidence.

It would also be almost certainly a sell-out, so would boost the Leeds coffers.

Maybe even make it a Knights/Steeldogs combined team.

It would also be good for the supporters to visit a new local rink.

Maybe one for the club to consider in the future?

Regards

Doom

On the subject of pre season, I notice Cardiff have six pre-season games to most other teams four game schedule, three v European opposition and the other three against us and Nottingham. I recall Thomo had us on a similar schedule when he was in Sheffield. I expect he’s hoping the extra games give his team a good springboard into the first league/cup games. I think I recall us picking up a few injuries in those games which hindered our start. It’ll be interesting to see how Cardiff go through September.

We tend to use the challenge Cup umpteen group games as our main part of preseason now outwith of the Cardiff Manchester fitness games.

Keith Sheppard wrote: ↑

Sun Jun 28, 2026 9:09 am

On the subject of pre season, I notice Cardiff have six pre-season games to most other teams four game schedule, three v European opposition and the other three against us and Nottingham. I recall Thomo had us on a similar schedule when he was in Sheffield. I expect he’s hoping the extra games give his team a good springboard into the first league/cup games. I think I recall us picking up a few injuries in those games which hindered our start. It’ll be interesting to see how Cardiff go through September.

I think that was the 18/19 season when we signed the Rupert brothers.

We started against good quality European opposition and spent most of the games trying to catch them and picked up a few injuries as a result.

We never got going and it turned into a dreadful season. No doubt poor recruitment by Thompson, but I certainly think our pre-season didn't help.

I'd prefer we started pre-season against relatively modest opposition, so that any new forwards could have the opportunity to pick up a few points and build some confidence.

After that maybe a couple of games against EIHL or similar standard opposition. I don't think we need a pre-season of more than 2 or 3 games.

Regards

Doom

I haven't a problem with the 4 games either, just the opposition! They are missing out on one hell of a marketing coup... that I would think is right up Tony's road... Leeds Knights and Sheffield Steeldogs would not doubt pull in brilliant crowds for both sets of home and away games... A great chance to see some of the two ways signing play also... and local talent from both sides..

I seem to remember when we played Hull in the Yorkshire cup, we always got a fair bit of interest...

Jayboy wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 27, 2026 7:27 pm

These exhibition games vs Cardiff Devils and Manchester Storm seem a bit lazy... what ever happened to playing a decent european side we've rarely ever played before... it used to be a proper treat facing a team we won't see 4 or 5 times in the season anyway.. i would rather play Leeds Knights and Steeldogs than Cardiff and Manchester...!

Jayboy

This.

We’ll play Cardiff cause of Simms’ bessie mates with Thompson and Storm with Finnerty connections are my opinions.

Other teams are playing European competition, but we’re not. As for picking up injuries playing better opposition, we’re just as likely to pick up injuries against EIHL opponents.

Still, saves me a few quid as we’ll only play Cardiff and Manchester another 500 times in the season

It's a tough one with pre-season - either going somewhere in Europe or getting European teams in costs more, so got to decide whether monetary and/or squad readiness is of greater benefit.

In terms of total games to be played, think I'd definitely leave that to professional opinion - I'm sure it was Saucerman who said in an interview that it still takes about 10 competitive games to really get in the flow of things, so I suspect it comes down to coach/players/medical staff opinion.

Also, I'd say there's no point playing NIHL team, given the gap in standard - I'd assume you want similar standard/just below to keep the game better structured

Ideally, I think two clubs should chip in for a Euro team (or teams) to get them to play against one another. Then you're splitting all the costs to get them here, and more likely to get in more people through the door. As already mentioned, playing teams you play 1000x per season already, is very stale.