Solway Sharks News Archive 2011/12

SHARKS ADD FOUR MORE TO SQUAD
Hard on the heels of the capture of forward Marc Fowley from Fife head coach Martin Grubb as moved to further strengthen his squad as he prepares for life next season in the ENL North first division with the capture of three more players.

The Solway Sharks are happy to announce that  Stephen Moore, Callum Boyd, Dayle Keen and Scott Wright (not pictured) have all joined the Sharks for the remainder of the season on two-way contracts with Kilmarnock Storm.

SHARKS ADD FORWARD FOWLEY
The Solway Sharks are happy to announce that they have made their first move to strengthen their squad with next season in mind when they signed forward Marc Fowley after he was released by Elite League side the Fife Flyers.

Coach Martin Grubb had this to say about his latest capture, “I am delighted to be able to bring someone of Marc's quality to the team as he will add speed, skill and a goal threat to our forward line. I have followed Marc's situation in Fife closely and I know that he is desperate to be playing regularly. He will be a valuable member of our team as the push for the league title continues and I know the fans will love his style.”

Marc himself was quick to add, “I am pleased to be signing with the Sharks for the remainder of the season. I have only heard good things about Spud as a coach and am aware of the talent on the roster. I have also played with some of the guys before and know there are some characters in the dressing room. I hope to help the team achieve their goals of winning the title and promotion into League One.

Regular Sharks supporters will be well aware of Marc’s talents after having watched him play against us both with Fife and with the Paisley Pirates before that. Marc was unavailable for last weekends fixtures but is expected to make his Sharks debut against the Fylde Flyers at Blackpool on Saturday.

ADAMSON JOINS THE SHARKS
Exciting young forward Calum Adamson has joined the Sharks this week on a two way contract with the Braehead Clan.

Calum was initially expected to join the Sharks on a two way contract at the beginning of the season but has been with the Clan full time up to now. With ice time at a premium in the Elite League Calum has spent a lot of his time at Braehead on the bench and it was decided that it would be in the best interests for his development to get ice time here at the Shark Tank. Welcome to the Sharks Calum. 

SHARKS ADD ANOTHER THREE TO ROSTER
On the playing front the Solway Sharks squad is now nearing completion with three young players joining the club in the last week on two-way contracts. Close links with Frank Morris from the Braehead Clan brings us young starlets Michael McKay and Lewis Gold while Aaron Greger has joined the club as a Sharks player with talks ongoing with Edinburgh Capitals regarding a two-way contract.

Michael (above left) is a tall defenceman who has quietly and effectively been working his way through the Fife Flyers system while Lewis is a left handed forward from Edinburgh who was on Dundee Stars books at one time and played last season in Canada with Eugene Generals. Aaron (above right) is also a defenceman who came up through the Fife ranks and is another Scotland Under 19 and GB Under 18 international.

Coach Martin Grubb was clearly over the moon with his captures when he told the Solway Sharks website: “I am delighted to welcome all three players and to add such young promising players. They will play a massive part in our team this year while also continuing to develop by sampling Elite training with their respective clubs and game time here with the Sharks. I have worked with all three for a number of years and know all about the qualities they possess. They will continue to develop as players and will be exciting to watch as the season progresses.”

With our three latest additions the Solway Sharks roster now stands at eighteen, they are; Gary Russell (Netminder), Kieran Hobbins (Netminder), Jamie Kerr, Aaron Greger, Robert Chalmers, Mark Gallagher, Alan Gibson, Craig Johnston, Michael McKay, Terry Robertson, Lewis Gold, Alan Crane, Frazer Goldie, Calum Henderson, Adam Renolds, Struan Tonnar, Nathan Salem and Aiden Fulton.

RUSTY JOINS UP AGAIN
The Magnox Ltd sponsored Solway Sharks are pleased to announce that popular netminder Gary “Rusty” Russell has now put pen to paper and will guard the net for the club this season. Rusty had several options to consider this off-season, including interest from an Elite League club in Scotland, but has opted to remain a Shark.

When contacted by the Sharks website Rusty said; “I am happy to be back in Dumfries for another season and I want to get back to winning ways. Hopefully we will have a good season and win promotion to division one. Martin is trying to build a new team and with the players we have, and spirit we have, I am sure there are exciting times ahead.”

Coach Grubb added that; “Gary was one of the first players that I wanted to return as I think everyone has seen how important a player he is to us since he arrived. He will give us the solid platform to build on and is capable of winning games on his own. Once again he will be a huge player for us. I'm sure everyone, from players to fans, will be as delighted as me that he has returned and I have no doubt that his experience will be vital to the team and will help the young guys we have as well.”

Rusty joins eight other players who are currently registered with the Sharks for the 2011/12 season these are: Adam Reynolds, Mark Gallagher, Struan Tonnar, Frazer Goldie, Aiden Fulton, Bob Chalmers, Alan Crane and Nathan Salem. With a few positions still up for grabs even at this late stage the bulk squad will be finalised at the during this week to allow for registration in time for Saturdays match and will be announced on the Sharks website as soon as possible.

OPEN SUPPORTERS MEETING
The Sharks would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who turned up to the open supporters meeting in the Ice Bowl on Tuesday (16/08) night. A frank and open discussion took place where the new committee explained where the club stood financially and what needed to be attained on and off the ice to have a successful season.

The committee was especially pleased to receive offers of help and to hear the many excellent suggestions that came back from the floor. All comments will be investigated further in the coming weeks and wherever possible will be implemented. Following on from this initial meeting it was agreed to hold another open supporters meeting once the season is underway with a projected date around the end of September.

SHARKS HOLD OPEN SUPPORTERS MEETING
The Solway Sharks are to hold an open supporters meeting on Tuesday, the 16^th of August, in Dumfries Ice Bowl from 7pm.

This an opportunity for you the supporters to not only hear the committee’s plans for the Sharks but for you to voice your opinion and help shape the future direction of our club. It is also an opportunity for you to become involved on match nights etc. if you should so wish. The Sharks are your local club and all supporters new and old are welcome to attend the meeting as we move forward into a new and exciting era.

Please note that this meeting was originally scheduled for the previous Thursday (11th) but has been rescheduled due to circumstances beyond our control. We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.

KEY DEFENCEMAN CRANE SIGNS ON AGAIN
The Magnox Ltd. sponsored Solway Sharks are pleased to announce that experienced defenceman Alan Crane has now put pen to paper and will play for the Dumfries based side in the forthcoming season.

In a work restricted 2010/11 season Alan played in just five matches and the supporters will be hoping to see him return to the form of the previous season when he added three goals and six assists through twenty matches in addition to stellar defence.

Head Coach Grubb was quick to say that: “Alan is an experienced player who is a strong skating defenceman and will be a good addition to out blueline when available through work. He can play on special teams and gives our squad depth. The challenge for him is to play regularly and become a mainstay of the team.

Alan himself added: “I am very happy to be returning for another season and am looking forward to the start of the season. I am determined to bring trophies back here again after missing a lot of last year due to work and I am sure we will live up to our favourites tag.”

Alan joins Adam Reynolds, Mark Gallagher, Struan Tonnar, Frazer Goldie, Aiden Fulton and Bob Chalmers as registered players for the 2011/12 season.

SHARKS RENEW MAGNOX SPONSORSHIP
The Solway Sharks are delighted to announce that Magnox Ltd. have agreed to come on board once again as the clubs main sponsor for the forthcoming 2001/12 season.

This will be the fourth season in a row that Magnox and the Solway Sharks have been in partnership. The support that Magnox has provided over these years has allowed the Dumfries based team to grow and prosper with two Northern League titles, a Northern League Play-Off crown and a Scottish Cup final appearance to their credit during this time frame. The Solway Sharks look forward to extending this run of success in conjunction with Magnox in the English National League next season.

NEW SHARKS COMMITTEE
Following the Solway Sharks Emergency General Meeting at Dumfries Ice Bowl on Friday the 17th of June the following committee was elected: Les Maxwell - Chairman, Rab Murray - General Manager, Gillian Sturrock - Treasurer and David Morrison Secretary.

The new committee would like to express their appreciation to Sandra Edgar and Derek Fleming for all their hard work over the years on the Sharks behalf.