Hot Off the Presses:

"And now, the generals are saying they'll take a stand
But their heads are buried deep, deep in the sand"
Kara's Flowers: "Sleepy Windbreaker"

Manchester, as announced by owner Neil Morris at their fans' forum oh...about half an hour ago, are now an EPL team-the speculation is true...Morris has said that he will inform the EIHL board of the decision this evening.

Their signings thus far are Steve Fone from Coventry, with Adam Summerfield backing up in net, the returning Carl Graham, Luke Boothroyd and Adam Walker, and new signing Joe Graham from Nottingham, along with several ENL Phoenix players.

Other news from the forum has Belfast being openly pointed at as a wage-cap breaking team, and hints at several returnees from previous Phoenix seasons being rumoured (Joe Tallari being one). Despite the Vipers fan forum last week also saying they were committed to the EIHL for at least this season, you now have to wonder just whether, as many fear, the Elite League's days are now numbered.

So there we are. It's an eight-team EIHL. And has become one AFTER the league planned to go forward with nine teams and tried to convince us that everyone was on the same page...

You see that white stuff on the floor? That's spilt milk, and that sobbing you can hear is the directors of eight teams crying as they wonder how they're going to sort out the hole this'll leave...

Your move, Elite League...British hockey fans are watching you more closely than ever now...

Ins and Outs...

"Can I go now?
Say what you have to say
Happy you've got your way
There's nothing to discuss"
Jennifer Love Hewitt: "Can I Go Now?"

It's been an interesting few days in British hockey, to say the least...

Greg Chambers to Coventry: Hm. Reviews from Bison fans say his attitude is not the greatest in the world, the bloke likes a drink or two and quit on his team last season. Add to that that he's always seemed to be the kind of player who has all the talent in the world but needs to either constantly be the best on the team (he only came into his own at Bison when first Kevin Bergin in 06/07, Doug Sheppard in 07/08 and then Brad Cruikshank in 08/09 moved on to pastures new and he was effectively expected to be the sole scorer), or a fire lighting under his rear-end (for brief sparks of superb play-he seems to play in fits and starts rather than constantly be at the top end)...

In Coventry, we shall see what happens...

Tom Walsh to Belfast: Stats are here. It appears Belfast are starting the off-season by addressing some of the defensive issues they had last season-certainly Walsh has a huge amount of pedigree for this level.

The big news of the day in the EIHL, however, is Manchester's decision over where they're going to play next season. Official announcement is tonight but an article has already appeared on the website of the Scotsman newspaper, claiming that Edinburgh will be EIHL and Manchester are moving to the EPL. The article has now been removed, but it quotes Phoenix owner Neil Morris as saying:

Club owner Neil Morris said: "Despite a quite remarkable campaign in many respects last season, the club as a business didn't realise its financial planning and that prompted a serious re-evalution of the operation.

"When we laid all the cards on the table, the option to move to the EPL ticked all the boxes.

"We believe that the English Premier League offers not only a great challenge for Tony Hand and his team but also the best opportunity to ensure the long-term future for the club and the sport in Manchester."

All will be revealed this evening...and the Breakaway will, all being well, have the news and confirmation for you either way as soon as it breaks...check back around 9pm or so...