The Fife Flyers have reached rock bottom both on and off the ice.
And the Kirkcaldy side’s 6-1 loss to the Guildford Flames on Saturday [31 January] is barely a footnote in a much more serious story.
In a statement published on social media just hours before face-off, the Flyers “clarified” that its players would not wear the team’s specially-designed Pride Night jerseys during the game, limiting their use to the warm-up.
“Pride Night is an important opportunity for our organisation to celebrate diversity and reaffirm our commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone in our community,” wrote a spokesperson for the Elite League side.
“Following internal discussion, we want to clarify how tonight’s Pride Night will now be reflected on the ice. The team will wear Pride-themed jerseys during warm-ups and will compete in standard Fife Flyers home jerseys for the game itself. This approach allows us to support Pride Night while also respecting the diversity of backgrounds and personal beliefs within our playing group.”
Fife Flyers generate outrage with eleventh-hour Pride Night U-turn:
The Flyers’ statement sparked backlash, most notably from The Hive Kirkcaldy, which was due to receive the proceeds from the club’s post-game jersey auction.
Instead, the charity boycotted the event and announced that it would refuse donations from the Flyers.
“The Hive Kirkcaldy are extremely disappointed in the decision made by Fife Flyers not to wear the Pride Jerseys throughout this evening’s match,” a spokesperson wrote.
“We turned up at the Ice Arena tonight with no knowledge of this and I can confirm that I was advised it was a last minute decision by the club.
“In light of this The Hive have refused to accept any money, strip or donations from the club and left the match immediately. We will be writing to them regarding this. The Hive will always standup for LGBTQIA+ rights and we will not be silenced.”
Fife Flyers must address Pride Night disaster:
It isn’t difficult to read between the lines here.
The Flyers said the quiet part out loud anyway.
Until less than three hours before face-off, it was business as usual in Fife.
The Flyers would participate in the Elite League’s Pride Night celebrations as they (and every other team in the competition) always have: they would wear rainbow-themed jerseys during their game and auction them in support of LGBTQIA+ charities. \
2023: Fife Flyers Pride Night Jerseys | Mikael Johansson, Fife Flyers (Image: Elite League)
But that all changed after the players held an “internal discussion” about their “personal beliefs.”
After that conversation, the club was forced to pivot into a lose-lose position that angered fans and ostracised the very community at the heart of Pride Night.
When the Flyers took to the ice for their warm-up, one player was missing.
When the Flyers auctioned their jerseys, the same player’s sweater was missing.
The player in question is former NHL’er David Booth, who left the game with a reported muscle injury after five minutes of play.
What next for the Fife Flyers and Pride Night in the Elite League?
We’ve seen this before in hockey.
In 2023, the NHL’s Pride Night celebrations came undone after a series of players refused to take part on personal and religious grounds.
The situation in Fife is eerily similar.
For years, the Flyers have hosted Pride Night with zero issues.
But not today. And perhaps never again.
The NHL’s position has backslid since 2023.
Teams are no longer allowed to wear special jerseys on the ice.
Hockey Fights Cancer? No. Pride Night? No. Literally anything else? Again, no.
The Elite League, which has been ahead of the game on LGBTQIA+ inclusion for a decade, is now in a terrible position because of one team’s “internal discussion.”
What happens next is crucial.
Will the Elite League be forced down the same path as the NHL — or will it stand behind the inclusive community it has built?
I sincerely hope it stands tall.
The Flyers, now bottom of the Elite League standings, must apologise for this Pride Night debacle.
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