Financial stability remains a priority for Lightning
Poole's pledge in light of crisis hitting other clubs
We will not put the long term financial stability of the team at risk in the quest to win trophies.
That was the message this week from Milton Keynes Lightning player coach Nick Poole as doubts over the future of three of last year's English Premier League teams emerged with a fourth, Wightlink Raiders, applying to join the lower English National League.
The EPL will be boosted by the addition of both Basingstoke Bison and Manchester Phoenix who have made the switch from the Elite League for financial reasons.
Romford Raiders, Bracknell Bees and Telford Tigers are all struggling to survive with new backers being sought.
Poole said that while the league would welcome all three – plus Wightlink – he could understand their financial plight.
"The league gets more and more competitive each year and some teams just can't compete. Revenue streams are being squeezed at the moment and there is no doubt some teams are spending more than they should," he said.
"We at Lightning have always believed very strongly that we won't spend more than we can afford just to win trophies. We want to put a competitive team out but we won't go bankrupt doing it.
"We start the season with a budget and we stick with it. So far it's paid off."
Poole also praised the work of Lightning's supporters club who raised nearly 25,000 for the team last season – a record amount.
The backing of the supporters club for all teams is likely to be even more important next term with the economic crisis making sponsorship deals hard to come by.
Meanwhile Poole is continuing to build next season's team. And he promised that there will be a senior back-up to whoever is signed as first choice netminder.
Last year Lightning were forced to rely mainly on junior back-up netminders after their intended signing, Chris Chaplen, gave up the game. That meant Barry Hollyhead having to play virtually every minute of every game.
Poole said he is intending to bring in some younger players to reduce the age profile of the team.
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Weather for Milton Keynes
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
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