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Fife Flyers invite takeover bids as Tom Muir and Jack Wishart announce retirement plans

Charles-Antoine Paiement, Fife Flyers (Image: Flyers Images)

It’s the end of an era for the Fife Flyers, with owners Tom Muir and Jack Wishart set to retire from their positions as directors of the Elite League outfit at the end of the season.

In a statement published on Tuesday [4 February], Muir and Wishart opened the door to fresh ownership bids, with the Elite League pledging to hold the Flyers’ franchise open for two seasons as the process to find a new owner or ownership consortium plays out.

“After almost 30 years of involvement with Flyers we have taken the difficult decision to step down from the operation of this wonderful club,” wrote Muir and Wishart, who elevated the Flyers into the Elite League in 2011.

“The Flyers have a colourful history and we now look for those wishing to write the next chapter. We look forward to welcoming those out there who have the passion, drive and determination to help keep this historic club going for another 87 years. Any interested parties are invited to contact us so we can pass on the baton and share new ownership news prior to the end of the 2024-25 season.”

Elite League promises to support takeover-bound Fife Flyers

In a separate statement, also published on Tuesday, Elite League chairman Tony Smith addressed the possibility of a nine-team league in 2024-25.

“We hope that we’ll be able to see Elite League ice hockey in Fife next season, but the responsible thing to do is to be prepared in case this isn’t possible in the short term,” explained Smith.

“We hope the Flyers are able to find new owners and would of course work with them to continue the club’s participation in the top-flight of British ice hockey. The process of finding new owners could happen quickly, or may take time, therefore we have agreed to keep the Flyers’ franchise open in the Elite League for a further two seasons to allow them to return at a later time if needed.

“We hope this won’t be necessary but are also aware of the timescales involved and would want new owners to know that they are welcome in the Elite League whenever they are found.”

Analysis – Fife Flyers announcement leaves Elite League facing nine-team future

There are two ways to view this announcement.

Phelix Martineau, Fife Flyers (Image: Flyers Images)

Phelix Martineau, Fife Flyers (Image: Flyers Images)

Anyone with a glass half-full perspective on life will coalesce around the positives – the Fife Flyers have needed fresh investment for a while (one playoff appearance in the last five seasons says that definitively) and Tom Muir and Jack Wishart’s retirement will likely result in exactly that.

But – and it’s a massive but – there is a greater than zero percent chance that this is the end of the road for the nation’s oldest hockey club.

If Muir and Wishart are unable to find new owners to take the Flyers forward, that’s it. Finished – for now or forever.

There are reasons, however, to be optimistic about the Flyers’ future – hockey ranks fifth in team sport fan attendance across the United Kingdom and the Elite League’s post-pandemic recovery has been impressive.

Likewise, there is serious brand equity in Fife.

The Flyers are the most historic team on these shores, with a fanatic fanbase, and the chance to hit new heights with the right leadership (and investment) at the helm.

There’s every chance that Fife will secure new ownership, but the chances of the Flyers icing an Elite League roster in September feel slim.

Elite League bosses set to make the best of a bad situation

Meanwhile at Elite League HQ, decision-makers deserve credit for their sensitive handling of the situation in Kirkcaldy.

The Elite League will be worse off without the Flyers in the mix – and competition bosses are right to extend an olive branch to potential investors by protecting Fife’s spot in the league for now.

That said, if the Flyers are unable to compete in the next two seasons, the Elite League’s 54-game schedule will continue as normal.

“We have plans in place for our league operations if we are at nine teams, giving clubs the same number of home games as teams have now,” added league chairman Tony Smith.

“This ensures that planning for season 2025/26 can continue at the other nine member teams, and that fans across the league can also renew or take up season tickets without worrying that the number of games could be changed.”

In other words – the Elite League will make the best of an unwelcome situation.

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