Following the end of their most successful campaign to date, Paisley Pirates have paid tribute to the many individuals and groups who have contributed to that success by thanking them for the part they have played in making season 2016/17 so memorable.

paisley pirates

Coach Ian Turley said, “There are an awful lot of people we need to say a very big ‘Thank You’ to, as without them we simply couldn’t ice a team. We have a squad of 20 players, and I can only say how much it has been a privilege and pleasure to work with them. The bit that people see is the players performing on the ice, the bit they don’t see is the late night training sessions and full commitment away from their families for 8 months of the year. They don’t get paid for playing, nor do they get any help with their kit or travelling costs to and from games either at home or away, and all of that takes a lot of commitment and I’ve got only the highest regard for the guys who were prepared to do that week in, week out, for the club.”

He went on, “All of the SNL teams have made various efforts to raise the standard of our league, which is clear for everyone to see, given that there was very little room for error during games throughout the season.”

“We have a mass of volunteers, who do all the match night jobs willingly to contribute to the club, and once again, without them, we couldn’t put a show on-from the people on the gate, the folk who do all the presentation stuff round the other side of the arena, and all the others who don’t really see as much of the game as they would maybe like but do their job willingly to help the Pirates, all of them have my utmost admiration for doing it to help their club, and I want them to know just how much it is appreciated.”

“Our supporters also deserve a huge thanks for getting behind the team in the way that they do. There’s no better feeling than coming out of the dressing room at Braehead Arena and hearing the fans cheering when we hit the ice, and away from home the noise they create makes us feel so much better, knowing that so many folk have given up their time and probably spent quite a bit of money to get to the game, and that is hugely appreciated. I know of one instance this year when we were playing at Dundee on a Sunday night and some fans travelled through; by public transport just to watch us play, which is quite humbling to think that a family would do that, effectively give up most of their Sunday, and probably a wee bit of their Monday morning too, just to cheer us on 100 miles from home-that’s dedication, and it’s not at all untypical with regard to what our fans will do to support the team.”

“I also have to thank the sponsors who gave us much needed support over the course of the season in various ways. Renfrewshire Sports Charity at ProLife Fitness Centre who provided the team with a top class training facility, none more when we lost ice at Braehead. Cold Blooded Sports who in spite of their own trauma when their premises went on fire, were still able to supply us with goods and services. I also want to thank our other sponsors, like Al Goold Photos, MWS and SK Cutting Edge, all of whom provided us with much valued support in various ways, and, of course, Renfrewshire Council, who have provided ongoing support through its Local Area Committees.”

“Finally, I want to say a word about our management team. We’re a very well run organisation. Jackie and her team put in a power of work behind the scenes and put in more hours in the week on behalf of the Pirates than they do in a full time job! Running the Pirates is a 24/7 commitment, you don’t get days off very often, and it is so much easier being the coach at this club when you know that all the million and one other jobs connected with the running of the organisation are all being dealt with. You could say that we are a big club in every sense of the word, with an organisation and history that many other teams would love to have, and that’s down to Jackie and her team making it that way.”

“We look forward to seeing you on Saturday 13th May at our end of season awards night.”