2002

AUGUST: Steelers re-sign Rick Brebant and Brent Bobyck but lose Shudra to Coventry, Kruse to Belfast also Longstaff to Manchester

NOVEMBER: Britain's not-so-super Superleague was going to fold even before the collapse of two of the divisions seven teams, The Star can reveal today. Cash stricken Manchester Storm and Ayr Scottish Eagles are dropping out, leaving Sheffield Steelers and just four others to carry on. Today the ISL's chief administrative officer, Brian Storey, declared that the remaining five clubs were "currently" intent on finishing the season.

The ISL recognise they cannot carry on with five teams and want to merge, in some way with the BNL. Some forward-thinking BNL teams will approve, but others will be afraid of the financial muscle of teams like Sheffield, Nottingham and Belfast. In the past, clubs like Edinburgh, Fife and Guildford have opposed Sheffield joining.

2003 

JANUARY: Whatever happened to Steelermania? That's the question Mike Blaisdell and Dave Simms want answering after both took the unusual step of criticising the club fans. Blaisdell is irritated that Steelers attendances have been unable to keep up with Belfast and Nottingham. He believes the supporters at Sheffield Arena are sometime not as vocal and passionate as they should be.

It could be one of the loudest gigs of the year at Sheffield Arena on Saturday. Sheffield Steelers fans have responded to criticism that they have become too quiet with a plan to raise the roof. Fan's groups have been working behind the scenes, and internet guest books have been buzzing, with plots to super- charge the atmosphere for the visit of Bracknell Bee.

Ken Priestlay and the Tony Hand return for night of nostalgia at the Arena. They were an integral part of the original Grand Slammers, and last night their contribution was celebrated with an official shirt-number retirement before a Steelers select squad took on their present (BNL) team Dundee.

At the end of the month Steelers took on arch rivals Nottingham Panthers in the Challenge Cup Final at the Manchester Arena. Goals from Simpson, Sessa and Dutiaume put Steelers into a 3-0 lead but but 2 goals from Panthers in the final 6 minutes set up a tense finish.

FEBRUARY: Steelers sign ex NHL hot-shot Iain Fraser to end of season.

Sheffield claimed the superleague title at Nottingham in the final league game of the campaign with Chris Szysky scoring the game winner in the 57th minute.

MARCH

After sealing a play off spot by the narrowest of margins penalty shots in the semi final meant Belfast were to defeat the Steelers after a goalless game in regulation.

Sheffield Steelers owner Norton Lea, arrested in connection with a fraud investigation, was given a rousing reception by 2,000 travelling ice hockey fans last night. Millionaire Mr Lea, 75 who owned Chesterfield FC from 1987 until he sold it to Darren Brown in 2000 was quizzed by Derbyshire police in a long running inquiry into their financial affairs of the club. He was released on police bail pending further inquiries.

APRIL: Sheffield Steelers will be part of a minimum nine-strong Elite League next year, British ice hockey rulers announced. Norton Lea and other owners of clubs wanting to develop a new top-flight in the sport all paid £1000 at a meeting in Leicester yesterday to register their teams. The other teams to confirm their participation are Manchester, Belfast, London, Nottingham, Cardiff, Coventry, Basingstoke, and Glasgow.

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