BLACKBURN Hawks are to voluntarily drop to the lower level of senior British ice hockey.

That is likely to mean there will be no imports on view at Blackburn Arena for the first time in the sport's short history in the town.

And that will prove the last straw for many fans, fed up with the Arena's attitude to the sport.

Last year, five players were axed at Christmas when the Hawks were top of the league.

It now looks likely that the team will feature in the English League Division One (North) - two rungs down from their current status - starting next month.

Last season Hawks played in the English Premier League, but despite injecting heavily in the playing staff and getting some good results, they still failed to attract anything like break-even crowds to the Arena.

Hawks officials are now hoping that the new division, featuring opponents all over the north of England, will not only help keep costs down, but make players more likely to commit to the cause.

"Last season our nearest game involved a six-hour round trip and the players are reluctant to get involved with all that these days, particularly those who are playing ice hockey alongside full-time employment," said Hawks administration manager John Neville.

"We are determined to keep the game alive in the town, but we have to be realistic and operate within our means. We have tried operating at all levels but, frankly, we have been stung financially.

"Last year we set our stall out to provide a winning team and we managed to achieve that goal - unfortunately it failed to make any significant difference to our attendances.

"We have a superb venue and the management is committed to putting the Hawks back on the map although there isn't yet a culture for the sport in the town and we simply cannot keep losing money season after season.

"That is why after long deliberations we have decided to re-group by returning to first base for the short term.

"The aim is to use our strong junior development programme to build solid foundations while at the same time encouraging supporters to come along and get behind locally born and bred players.

"Hopefully some time in the future we can gear towards having a team that can be talked about nationally, become the Blackburn Rovers of ice hockey so to speak."

Supporters do not see it that way.

One loyal fan, Dave Skelton of Hoddlesden, said: "Three years ago, we were hoping for a Super League place but management decisions and lack of imagination and sponsorship saw that never happened.

"I have had enough of the mismanagement of the Hawks and, after supporting them since the start-up in 1990, I will spend my money watching proper competetive hockey at Manchester.

"I think a lot of Blackburn fans will do likewise and this will then allow the Arena to finally kill off senior ice hockey in Blackburn."

Details on the new league structure have still to be finalised although it is expected that 11 teams will compete in the new-look league, namely: Whitley Bay, Billingham, Sunderland, Kingston, Grimsby, Hawks, Sheffield, Deeside, Altrincham, Nottingham and Bradford.

Mr Neville added: "The English League has been static for some time and needs freeing from past traditions and practices. People are now trying to organise it in a far more professional manner.

"We at Blackburn are also playing a major part in establishing a brand new cup competition and have already spoken with potential sponsors."

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