Sheffield Scimitars have today confirmed that British forward Stephen Wallace has been released with immediate effect. The Scimitars made a fantastic start to the 2009/10 season but they have struggled over the past two months and so changes were inevitable.
Speaking today Coach Jon Rowbotham said "I had a meeting with the Team Owners, Gary and Ian, and we reviewed our playing roster. I have decided to make a number of changes to the team and regrettably Stephen's position in the team is one of those changes. I would like to thank Stephen Wallace for his service to Sheffield Scimitars and wish him all the very best for his future."
The Scimitars recent run of poor form continued last Sunday at Peterborough when the Phantoms recorded a 4-2 win over the Scimitars which was witnessed by Scims Directors Gary Apsley and Ian Johnson.
Mr Johnson said "It's no secret that our team has been struggling of late and although some might say our team has over-achieved given their relative youth and inexperience, I know that we are much better than our recent results indicate." He added, "Gary and I asked Jon to review his playing staff and identify significant changes that are necessary to get the team back to where it was at the start of the season, those performances became the standard bearer's for Scims Hockey and we want to get back to those performances as soon as possible."
Only last week the Rowbotham announced that three young players from the Sheffield Academy ENL team were to make the step-up to the Scimitars' senior team. Mark Turner, Andy Hirst and Chris Sykes all featured in the week-ends games and according to Rowbotham thay all did ok. With a strong junior set-up and ENL team, the Scimitars organisation is in a great position but recent poor performances are not acceptable to Coach Rowbotham who knows all too well what his team is capable of.
The Scimitars have another tough week-end ahead as once again they face Bracknell Bees on Saturday at Bracknell and then on Sunday they entertain a return fixture against last Sunday's opponents, Peterborough Phantoms, at Ice Sheffield, face-off 5:30pm. Rowbotham said finally "As always I take full responsibility for the team's performance on the ice. For this coming week-end I am expecting a major turn-around in our application on the ice. Players will be absolutely clear about our objectives and application and effort is at the top of my list."
Tickets for the game at ice Sheffield will be available at the door, usual prices apply.
