Flintshire Council wrestle back control of Deeside Dragons from investors as talks breakdown

[vc_row no_margin=”true” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” bg_video=”” class=”” style=””][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/1″][text_output]The future of Deeside Dragons ice hockey team has been thrown into doubt this week after Flintshire County Council stepped in and took back control of the club from Red Hockey, the investors who took control of the Dragons in July last year. 

Despite the team’s unprecedented success on the ice this season negotiations between the two parties to further develop the team and the Deeside arena have broken down.

Flintshire County Council said in a statement today “Red Hockey’s inability to conclude financial and contractual arrangements” was the reason behind the move to take back ownership.[/text_output][vc_row_inner inner_container=”true” no_margin=”true” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” bg_video=”” class=”” style=””][vc_column_inner fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/4″][gap size=”1px” id=”” class=”” style=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/2″][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/4″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px”][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/1″][text_output]Red Hockey CEO Wayne Scholes said he was extremely disappointed with the manner in which Flintshire County Council chose to conduct themselves “having ignored all normal channels of communication and announced their decision to Red Hockey’s staff immediately before Saturday’s game.”

Mr Scholes said:

“We are particularly disappointed for the Dragons staff and fans, with the team being on the verge of a championship win, FCC have acted in a way that can only cause disruption at a key point in the season and cast doubt over the future of a number of vital coaching and team members.

Whilst Red Hockey have made offers to resolve these issues amicably, the recent behavior of FCC has denied the club and the area the opportunity of substantial further investment, building on the current season of success, and suggests that they are intent on a course of conduct which can only be destructive to the interests of the club and the fans.

We wish to thank the staff and fans at Deeside Dragons and wish them the very best for the future.”

In a statement today Flintshire County Council’s Ian Bancroft hit back saying;

“Flintshire County Council as of Thursday 14th January was hoping to resume operational responsibility for Deeside Dragons Ice Hockey team, who are based at Deeside Leisure Centre.

Since the Summer the Council has been in negotiations with Red Hockey Ltd to develop the ice arena and the team.

These negotiations have broken down with both parties seeking an exit strategy to conclude relations.

At all times Flintshire County Council has tried to reach agreement in a positive manner with Red Hockey Ltd.

However despite best efforts this could not be achieved given Red Hockey’s inability to conclude financial and contractual arrangements with us.

The Council made clear it’s position to Red Hockey early last Thursday after seeking unsuccessfully a number of reassurances through normal communication channels about Red Hockey’s willingness to make payment and sign contracts.

The Council is committed to ensuring protection of the interests of the team and ice hockey in Deeside.

Insecurity and indecision about future arrangements would not have helped this to be achieved.

As a result, the Council will be supporting the team to move forward with the intention of ensuring its continued involvement in the league this year and the future operation of the team.

While we are disappointed the relationship with Red Hockey Ltd has not progressed as planned, we will work with Deeside Dragons and the ice hockey league to find the best way forward for the team.”[/text_output][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px”][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/1″][text_output][/text_output][/vc_column][/vc_row]