Ice Hockey: GIANT PROBLEM

THE long term future of the Belfast Giants is not under threat, according to the club's General Manager John Elliott.

Elliott revealed that the team's main sponsor Harp Lager have decided not to continue their backing beyond the end of the current contract which expires this summer.

The Giants financial problems were brought to light last June when the club was only saved from being wound up when creditors agreed to accept part payment of the debts they were owed.

Since then attendance figures in Belfast and throughout the Elite League have fallen from those recorded under the Superleague banner, but Elliott insists the events of last summer will not be repeated.

Elliot said: "By no means has Harp's decision not to renew the sponsorship come as a shock to us and we have legislated for this.

"Sponsorships have a certain lifespan and for us to get four good years out of this deal is excellent.

"We have been speaking to several potential partners about the opportunities for sponsorship next season and beyond.

"There is still some time before the start of next season and I expect to be able to make an announcement before then."

Elliott was employed by the Giants six months ago to ensure correct management of the club's finances and he is confident the team's future will not be in doubt again during this year's close season period.

He added: "We knew it was critical in this fourth season to implement strict cost management disciplines.

"There has been a realignment within the company and we are confident we have the right controls in place to prevent things going the same way as they did last summer."

Visitors to Giants games will have noticed that many of the perimeter boards around the ice are blank when in the last three years all were taken, but Elliott played down the potential loss of revenue from this.

He revealed: "I have spoken to a lot of companies about advertising on those boards but I am not prepared to sell them for less than they are worth. I am confident that next season they will be sold."

Meanwhile, on the ice the Giants travel to face Coventry Blaze tonight with coach Rob Stewart calling on his players to start taking points off the top teams if they are to maintain a challenge for the title.

Stewart is beginning to show his frustrations as his team's fight to be the inaugural Champions starts to lose its punch.

He said: "We have taken very few points off the teams who are above us in the league and that is why we are fourth. No matter what sport you are playing you have to beat the best teams if you want to win anything.

"I want to see the players fight their way out of this run rather than just accept it."

The cold, hard facts for the Giants are that in five meetings against each of the top three - the Sheffield Steelers, Nottingham Panthers and Coventry - they have taken just nine points and won only twice.

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