Telford…..

Talking about the Telford Tigers has become a bit of a difficult subject of late. It seems that no matter where any attempt to discuss the Tigers, and their somewhat controversial owner Wayne Scholes happens, an increasingly vocal number of Tigers “fans” react with what borders on a mania. Anyone who objects to the man, or his highly aggressive and divisive methods of business is instantly labelled as either “jealous” or ” bitter”. Any attempts to refute this allegation is ignored, and the “jealous/bitter” claims are simply repeated ad nauseum.

Well, the truth is that yes, I’m damn well sure that there are some folks out there who are jealous of the Tigers new(ish) found wealth and power. And yes, there will be an element of bitterness from some. But that is all natural. Whenever the established order is disrupted or overturned, there will be those who react with pure, unabashed emotion. However, only a blinkered idiot assumes that everyone who chooses to criticise is doing so purely from an emotional position.

Saint Wayne of Utah & Shropshire
Saint Wayne of Utah & Shropshire

For myself, I have grave misgivings about Wayne Scholes motives and aims for his involvement in the Tigers. Whilst any sensible businessman looks after his own business first and foremost, very few run roughshod over the other businesses which ultimately support theirs. In his interactions with the other EPIHL teams thus far, Scholes has shown a remarkable lack of desire to support anyone but himself. Claiming it is boring to see the ‘League won by Christmas’, then putting the finance in place to build a roster which appears to have done just that is either rank idiocy, or an ego run rampant. Not only that, but in purposefully doing so (and make no bones about it, the decision to build a roster that would comfortably win the title was a concious and deliberate one), it shows a massive amount of contempt not just for the other team owners who seemingly rightly had misgivings about how much money Scholes was willing to pump into the Tigers, but also the fans of the other teams. His flat refusal at a team owners meeting to reign in his spending probably didn’t help his cause either.

And I still fail to see exactly how is grand “plan” will benefit the British game overall. Scholes keeps claiming this, but I have seem precious little evidence of his cash benefiting anyone but the Tigers and their sudden influx of new “fans”.

And the fans…. Well, that’s an entirely separate matter in itself. As mentioned earlier, and increasingly vocal group of Tigers “fans” have taken to attacking pretty much anyone and everyone who dares criticise Saint Wayne of Utah. The “deserve” this success, they claim. No folks, no one “deserves” success. Success is earn’t. If you can’t, or won’t, understand that, then frankly, it’s a bit sad and pathetic. For sure, the Tigers fans have been through the shit more than once in the past decade or so, but to claim that this success is “deserved” because of that? Nope. Sorry. These “fans” need to remember that a lot of us who voice our concerns have all “been there, done that, bought the T-Shirt” regarding our own teams in the past.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind them enjoying their moment in the sun, as it were, but the constant defensiveness is wearing thin. Seriously, beyond the “Jealous/Bitter” and “deserving of this” nonsense, the sheer number who just accept Scholes take on how things have been for him is staggering. His word is seemingly taken as being gospel, whilst anything from other sources must be lies!

Well, guess what, i don’t rightly give a shit if Tigers fans are offended by these opinions. Whether they like them or not, my concerns, like those of a number of others, are valid. Time will tell if they are correct, but something tells me they will be.

One comment

  1. I’ve said recently in a comment on facebook that the League as a whole needs a salary cap and I was ridiculed by telford fans .. Slough Jets having won the playoffs 3 seasons ago are now in the southern tier of minor hockey. How many more teams will follow ? We left the “elite” league because we couldn’t compete with the big spending clubs and nearly going bankrupt trying to do so. This League as a whole needs, i feel, a transparent strong enforceable cap, until we get one Telford or anyone else’s owner who has deep pockets , will win the League and barring a shock , everything else to.The old I.S.L folded because of teams trying to compete with Nottingham and Sheffieds spending.I hope our league doesn’t go the same way.

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