Sheffield Steeldogs have applied to join NIHL North Moralee D1.

The Steeldogs have joined fellow Swindon Wildcats, Hull Pirates and Peterborough Phantoms in announcing they will follow the recommendation of EIHA boss Ken Taggart, who expressed his concern over the financial sustainability of the proposed PIHL.

Steeldogs’ joint owner Ali Cree said: “We have worked hard to include two-way players and prospects over the last season as part of our development plan.

“The NIHL1 league would also allow this to continue in an even bigger way, opening up the roster to even more talented young players, especially with a decreased import number.

“Due to the recent vote against the proposed Tier 2 structure by IHUK this does come as a surprise to many, however I do feel that the possibility to join NIHL1 we can work with this set of clubs who have grown a great league and also to continue to add further to its status.

“If approved, the NIHL1 League offers a clearer parity across the league as was seen in the run up to the play-offs held recently at Sheffield.

“A total of six teams were battling for the last few play-off places with only a week to go in the season. This is something I’m sure many of our fans would like to have seen in previous seasons gone by.”

(Image permission: Steve Bird)