S E P T . 2 0 1 9 | I S S U E 2 PIRATE NEWS

An official publication of the University of El Dorado

1 6 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9 W E E K 3 8

FABULOUS A R T I C L E S I N S I D E :

REVIEW OF MK FRIENDLIES FABUS LOOKING AHEAD TO THE Hull's star import settles into the start of the season START OF THE LEAGUE SEASON

LOYALTY PARTNER NEWS

FEATURED SPONSOR: HEB

PIRATES' NEW WEBSITE GAME REVIEW H U L L P I R A T E S V M I L T O N K E Y N E S L I G H T N I N G

The 'Phoney season' is over and with a 100% Sunday 15th saw MK travel to Yorkshire. This record from four friendly fixtures, Smailes time, Lightning proved more dogged. In a Goldie can at least be confident gritty display, they restricted the Pirates to that they have prepared as well as any rivals just three goals in a tight, and sometimes to meet the challenges ahead. disjointed game but narrowly lost 3-2.

This weekend's double bill against MK After weeks of conditioning training and Lightning, resembled the proverbial game of harder than expected warm-up games, the two halves. On Saturday 14th, MK hosted the Pirates looked a little jaded with some of the Pirates and were disappointed to be soundly players admitting that they are feeling the beaten 7-2 . MK did not register on the score effects of recent conditioning training. One board - at least they have one - until the player who has felt the force of the intense second period, by which time Hull had scored friendly fixture list is Captain, Jamie Chilcott, five and were close to completing a haul of injured on Saturday having suffered a seven goals. suspected dislocated collarbone. His absence in defence will be sorely missed. Last weekend, several Hull fans had hoped to see more from new signing Olegs Sislannikov, Opening the scoring for Hull on Sunday was a hopelessly optimistic expectation given he Player/Coach Hewitt but MK battled back. At had only just landed in the UK. If Olegs the start of the final period, scores were level needed to prove his worth, this was the night. at 2-2. For the second consecutive evening, He scored 1+3 in MK but the standout Kevin Phillips hit the net, this time scoring the statistics belonged yet again to former MK game winner at 53:25. player and Hull favourite, Bobby Chamberlain, with 2+3. MK will be pleased to have restored some pride from this away performance, following Perhaps a less attractive statistic was the Saturday's thrashing at the hands of the number of penalty minutes amassed by Hull. Pirates. Impressing for MK was Finn, Ari On the one hand this could be a cause for Närhi, supported by former Hull Stingray, Cale concern yet on the other, it proves that the Tanaka. Most fans will claim that MK's star team is able to mix physical and skilful player was Brandon Stones but youngster, hockey, something the National League will Brodie Jesson also caught the eye with a require from every side. hardworking performance capped by a fine goal.

GAME PREVIEW M K L I G H T N I N G ( A W A Y ) S W I N D O N W I L D C A T S ( H O M E )

Opening Hull Pirates' 2019/20 league season is a Key to breaking down Swindon's efficient fixture against - yes, you have guessed it - MK defence is Hull import, Peter Fabus. At the age Lightning. Having already met MK in two of 40, the Slovakian is a veteran but fans have friendly ties, is it likely that we will see a different seen that in his case, age is only a number. While result? Well, that is the beauty of sport; you just Hull's GB forwards have been more prolific than never know! However, Coach Hewitt has Fabus in the friendly matches, it is in games such probably seen enough of MK to realise that his as these where his class and experience will style of offensive-biased hockey will prevail count. against Lightning, even if Brandon Stones continues to remain defiant between the pipes. Though he is disappointed to be temporarily That is not to say that MK can be written-off but apart from his wife and child, due to migration it is hard to know where their goals will come issues, Fabus has settled into life in Hull and from in sufficient quantity, if they are to triumph enjoys the short stroll from his flat to the Arena, over Hull's goal-hungry forward lines. taking in Loyalty Partner area, Humber Street. He feels at home in the city and is looking forward are a wholly different and to testing himself against the National League's more challenging proposition to anything Hull best defences. Stingray's legend, Jerome have faced so far this season. Wildcats are Tendler, said of Fabus, '...he is a player you tipped by many punters to be favourites to win sometimes do not notice yet you look at the the Southern Conference. Looking at their score-sheet and there he is every week, squad, from netminder onward, it is easy to see consistently hitting the points.' Praise indeed why someone would wager on them lifting from a points machine who played against Fabus National League honours too. in the Hungary / Romanian Erste Liga.

Backstopped by Renny Marr and defended by a Where Hull may struggle is in containing unit that is tried and tested, Swindon will be Swindon's own potent forward line. British confident of holding the Pirates' forwards at bay. players Sam Bullas and Aaron Nell are lethal They also pose a threat from D, breaking out with attackers but it is the dizzying array of import, their pace, courtesy of Stephen Whitfield. dual national and foreign-born forwards that sets However, Hull proved to be Swindon's nemesis the Wildcats apart. Missing club Captain Jamie last season and may yet do so again. Chilcott through injury, Hull's defence is already depleted so expect big shifts from senior players, Phillips, Kirk and Haywood.

Village Gym join a list of companies handpicked by Media Team co- ordinator, Ian Mowforth, including: Taphouse, Ambiente, Megan Una, Fan's Artisan Fine Art, Zinc Hair Salon, Pro Sports Cars, BeCoffee and Berts Pizzeria. Please check our new Pirates website for full details of Partners and their offers.

Social Our next pre-match Fan's Social gathering will take place at Taphouse in Humber Street, Hull, Sunday 22nd at 3pm. Families are welcome at the bar where each week guest chefs serve from the News Street Food Kitchen. Come along and join the Media Team next Sunday to celebrate the first league game of the new season.

Last week saw the first Pirates' Fan's Social, Dave is also planning our first staged at the Taphouse, home to our 'Fan's Hub' midweek Fan's Social so watch out and Loyalty Partner. Over the coming months, for news on the event, which will Dave Heath of the Pirates' Media and Social Team feature a very special guest. Dave will be hosting monthly events at Taphouse as well declared to Pirates' Newsletter, 'I as the weekly pre-match gathering there, which am excited for the supporters. This start at 3pm every Sunday. This week, over forty is what we have been lacking for so fans enjoyed the family-friendly atmosphere. long. It is just great to see so many gathering in one place before a For the months of September and October, Dave is game and i just love the food, beer planning a midweek Legends Night and Special and coffee at the Tap.' One-Off event at Taphouse - watch out for details on the Pirates new web site www.hullpirates.co.uk Loyalty Partner Scheme and through social media. Goes Live:

*** Following the release of our new

website, the Loyalty Partner The list of Loyalty Partners continues to grow with Scheme goes live. 'I am relieved Hull's Village Hotel joining the scheme. They are that we can now offer the scheme offering a free one day gym pass with a to all supporters, not just season complimentary Starbucks coffee for all Pirates pass holders as at first assumed. fans (check web site Loyalty Partners tab for The website contains a Loyalty details). Village offers a state of the art gym Pass stored under the Loyalty housed in Hull's ever-popular Village Hotel. After a Partner tab, which allows all fans workout, why not treat yourself to a free coffee at to access great offers from car Starbucks or catch an evening in the newly servicing, haircuts to meals, coffee, refurbished Grill, where special cinema-style wedding dresses and even fine art,' seating is available if you wish to watch a Premier said MT Coordinator, Ian Mowforth. League Football game in amazing comfort.

SPONSOR NEWS

FEATURED SPONSOR

Henderson Employee HEB Benefits www.heb.uk.com [email protected] 0113 2223311

HEB join Hull Pirates as Associate Main Sponsor

Joining Hull Pirates as our Associate Main sponsor is ‘This is one of the key Henderson Employee Benefits business partnerships of the season. It is a great privilege to extend the relationship HEB provide Wealth (investment, protection, planning, I have with the retirement, tax, critical business) and Employee Benefits (Auto owners of HEB, enrolment, employee financial education, salary exchange) which spans the services. They join an impressive duo of Main Sponsors, joining time I have spent in title partner, Smailes Goldie. Pirates' Commercial Manager, Hull.’ Andre Payette Andre Payette, is not resting on his laurels, ‘It has been a fantastic summer for the Pirates in terms of sponsorship. In the Interested in sponsoring past we may have stopped here. However, this is going to be a Hull Pirates? Contact tight season and if we are going to maintain the expansion of [email protected] for details. our business, we need to continue looking for sponsors large or small. They are all important to us and receive the same level of respect, care and attention. I owe HEB a personal thanks and a big thank you from the Pirates' organisation,’

NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS

LEEDS CHIEFS OPEN THE INAUGURAL NATIONAL LEAGUE

In their first ever game, Chiefs opened the inaugural National League and commenced the great Yorkshire 3-way derby. Opponents, Steeldogs, entered the tie having played just two friendly fixtures, both ending in wins over MK Lightning. There was good reason for Steeldogs to be apprehensive against new boys Chiefs, particularly following the loss of numerous players during the summer but Sheffield is a team far from written off.

In an evening of 'firsts', Radek Meidl scored the Chiefs' first ever goal. It was not until the end of the second period that Sheffield responded but they wrapped up the contest 3-1 before the 48th minute. It was an inspiring game for netminders. Sam Gospel is expected to be busy this season for Leeds and he will be happy with a 91.18% average, although Steeldog's Zimozdra's 96.43% eclipsed the former and minders' figures.

Next Saturday 21st September, sees Playing on the road would have a most of the National League teams detrimental upon any team but for open their league and cup an embrionic side such as the Predictions: campaign. The Bees take on Chiefs, this season is a baptism of Phantoms, Swindon fire. Players constantly on the road Saturdays Wildcats host Raiders, Basingstoke will also feel the effects of travel- winners - Bison play and Hull induced fatigue. make the trip again to MK. On Phantoms, Sunday, all National League teams For Leeds and National League Wildcats, are in action. sides as a whole, the Elland Road stadium cannot be built quick Bison and Pick of the weekends' fixtures is enough. pirates Hull Pirates v Swindon Wildcats (see Newsletter Preview section) Sundays but it will be interesting to see how winners - 'road-team' Leeds manage against one of the league's toughest Pirates, opponents, Telford Tigers. Quite steeldogs, when Leeds will play their first home game is a matter for bison, speculation among supporters with phantoms, some claiming it might not be until December, though the Chiefs are tigers looking at a November start date. PIRATES ON THE WEB

A long overdue revamp of the Pirate's website has finally been completed but it was not without its frustrations

It is hard to believe that Pirates, closing in on being 'I set myself the most successful ever ice hockey franchise in Hull, targets of commenced trading merely four years ago and enters only its fifth campaign. On and off the ice, the overhauling the organisation created by Shane Smith, and initially led Pirates' media and by Dominic Osman, has changed immesurably. Yet, as with any company operating for such a short period, creating a Fan's teething problems still exist and often return to Social function. It inhibit the organisation's progress. was ambitious but Social media, is the lifeblood of modern business and we are on course.' it is the oxygen in which it breathes. Previously, media was the domain of Andy Robinson. The tireless volunteer coped as well anyone could expect but Ian Mowforth when he stepped aside from his role, due to work commitments, the Pirates had to assess just how the media function would operate in the future. As a consequence, a media team was recruited by Ian Mowforth and the whole function redefined. Sarah Ockelton was the first recruit to the media team and according to Ian, 'She has worked harder than anyone could expect, assisting in all areas of the projects and is simply invaluable.'

THE DEMAND FOR NEWS IS OVERWHELMING

Together, Ian and Sarah worked on revamping social media with a stunning 'post-reach' over the last month of 34.8k, an increase of 92%. Yet even though the pair are industrious, the potential unleashed by the sudden rise in social media postings required a team expansion and Greig Cardwell was recruited. In Ian's view, 'Greig is one of those guys who just gets on with things, which is what we need. He has great ideas and throws himself into every task.'

Part two of the project then became pressing as the season loomed and Ash Waters was approached to design a new website. Ian is keen to acknowledge the amazing work, which Ash has done since his arrival in the team, 'We have no budget to work with so all of Ash's work is done voluntarily in his own leisure time, when holding down a very taxing job.' The website is pivotal to the whole project and is not just an information hub but a shop window for the club where sponsors, supporters and business partners are concerned. The website was released on Friday 13th September after weeks of Ash, Ian and Sarah populating it. 'Yes, I admit I felt very stressed but thanks to Ash, the release was seemless.'

The Fan's Social function created by Ian is something that the Pirates have not previously attempted and remains a work in progress. Key to this element of the project is the Loyalty Partner Scheme. Participating Partners have been drawn from many businesses local to the rink, with roots in Hull or a strong existing connection with the club. These offer discounts or deals on products and services, accessible to all fans who can produce a season pass, a week-old game ticket or Loyalty Pass, which is stored under the Loyalty Partners tab on the website.

By far the most important partner signed to date is Taphouse, a bar and street kitchen located on Humber Street, less than five minutes walk from the Arena. 'Taphouse will provide fans with a hub where they can congregate before games and socialise afterwards. We have monthly events such as brewery tours, quizes etc. planned for the season at Taphouse.' Taking on a fan's social function required another volunteer and upstepped Dave Heath. Ian says of him, 'Dave brings energy, ideas and a big dollop of character to the task.'

The Pirates' social media project remains ongoing. Throughout the season, the team will develop its skills, hosting events, posting live updates, maintaining a current website and trying new media streams such as Pirates TV and podcasts. On the horizon is a Pirate Webstore and app. 'For now, we are taking a breather to assess where we are before the next big push. Ultimately, we wil be judged by what we produce but I hope that fans realise that every member of this fantastic team is a volunteer with a demanding day job. I am truly proud of their achievements but it is early days and there is much to do.'

This newsletter is brought to you courtesy of Hull Pirates Media and Social Team

The Team

Ian Mowforth Imagery courtesy of Hull Pirates and Sarah Ockelton Rachel Stork Dave Heath Ash Waters Greig Cardwell Contact

Website: www.hullpirates.co.uk Email: [email protected]