ICE HOCKEY: Gary Clarke met with Chelmsford Chieftains fans and his new team for their first on-ice training session together ahead of the new season this week.

In a good turnout from the fans and players at the Riverside Inn, coach Clarke addressed the fans on his aims for the season and how he plans to put the club in the thick of it chasing silverware.

After the session Clarke said: “It was fantastic to meet so many enthusiastic fans on Tuesday.

“I’d like to thank all those who turned out and made me feel welcome.

“The type of team I am trying to assemble will be a fast-skating, hard-working side. After the forum, the players and I made our way to the rink for our first training session together.

“The session went well and the basis of this session was the team becoming match fit.

“We do our best to stay in shape in the gym over the summer, but there is no fitness like on-ice fitness. If we want to be a good skating team we will need to be fit and ready to go from the off.”

Clarke went on to look ahead to the pre-season games the club has planned for the bank holiday weekend. He said: “We play Streatham home and away this coming weekend and I believe this will be a fantastic opportunity for us to take a look at ourselves individually and collectively to see exactly how fit we are and where we need to put that extra effort in.

“Streatham have made wholesale changes and will also have a point to prove, so we won’t be taking things lightly.

“I believe they are a much improved side by bringing in experienced, but very hard working, players such as Norman Pinnington and Scott Moody, while retaining many of their squad from last season.

“The weekend will allow me to put across to the team exactly what type of hockey I hope we will play while experimenting with a few line combinations and team systems.

“Hopefully this will also be a great opportunity for the fans to see the new players who have been brought in, but also an opportunity for the new players coming into the ENL to see what the league is all about.”

Next away game: Saturday, August 27, Streatham Redskins v Chieftains 4.30pm.

Next home game: Sunday, August 28, Chieftains v Streatham Redskins 6.30pm.