Cash-Strapped Manchester Phoenix Forced To Set Up Supporters Trust

English Premier Ice Hockey League side Manchester Phoenix has been "forced to set up a supporters trust in order to gain funding to complete the season," according to Sheldan Keay of the MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS. The club was forced to leave its previous ice rink in Altrincham at the start of the summer and has had to play its "home matches in Deeside during the current campaign." It has meant fans, sponsors and investors have all "found it difficult to support a team based in North Wales, having huge financial implications on the club." That has put Phoenix in "major trouble," and Owner Neil Morris is hoping the club "can gain backing to try and get back on track" with its plans to return to Manchester next season in a brand new arena. Morris: “We know that we need to get back to Manchester next season and the demand is high from our fans and sponsors alike" (MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS, 12/8).