The immediate future of Berkshire Bees appears to be in doubt – with the club confirming that all options are being considered, including “mothballing” the club for the 2025/26 season.
The Bees finished 10th in the Planet Ice NIHL National Division last season, 12 points adrift of the playoffs.
However, due to circumstances beyond their control, the club say that a number of avenues are being explored regarding their future, for both next season and beyond.
A club statement read: “Every avenue is being explored to deal with these circumstances before any final decisions are made.
“We understand that this is a worrying time for everyone, and the club will be providing regular updates over the coming days.”
In sport, the term ‘mothballing’ refers to a team temporarily ceasing operations, with the possibility of a future return.
Berkshire have played their home games at the Slough Ice Arena since 2020 following a move from Bracknell after the closure of their previous rink.
The Bees share their home rink with Slough Jets, who won the NIHL 1 South league title and playoffs last season before defeating Billingham Stars 6-1 to be crowned NIHL 1 national champions at last month’s NIHL ‘Final Four’ event in Coventry.
Quartet leave Berkshire Bees
Earlier this week, Berkshire confirmed that four players, including long-serving captain Stuart Mogg, had left the club.
Mogg arrived at the beginning of the 2018/19 campaign and went on to captain the side from the following season.
Also confirmed as leaving were Will Stead, Liam Morris and Hallam Wilson.
Stead came through the Bees’ junior setup, playing his first game for the club in 2015/16.
Stepping up on numerous occasions when required, he became a full-time member of their first team roster ahead of the 2019/20 campaign and has developed into a mainstay of their team ever since.
Morris spent two seasons with the club, while Wilson endured an injury-hit time for the Bees following his arrival from Basingstoke Buffalo at the beginning of last season.
Berkshire out, Basingstoke in?
Should the Bees drop out of the NIHL National Division, they would become the second side to do so in a matter of seasons.
Basingstoke Bison did likewise ahead of the 2023/24 season, sitting out due to rink upgrade works.
Last month, it was confirmed that they would return next season after a two-year hiatus, led by a newly-appointed management team of Steve Nell and Rob Firmin.
“I’m pleased to be involved in bringing the Bison back to the NIHL National League for the 25/26 season,” said Nell at the time of the announcement.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of establishing the Bison as a competitive team within the league. There’s a lot of work to do, but the journey starts now.”
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