1997

JUNE

Steelers are locked in tense rent-drop negotiations with Sheffield Arena after losing hundreds of thousands of pounds last year. The club wants to safeguard their long term future by securing a new deal with their Arena landlords, owner George Dodds.

Perry Doyle one of the hardest men in ice hockey, his career is now effectively over at the age of 24."I've been playing hockey for 11 years, it's in my blood. But there seems no hope of carrying on now, it's just to painful," said the powerhouse Brummie.

Steelers sign Scott Allison from Grand Rapids Griffins of the IHL.

AUGUST

Man mountain Mike Ware has ended weeks of speculation by signing for Sheffield Steelers from Cardiff Devils.

OCTOBER

Sheffield Steelers have suspended one of their most popular ever players while they probe his links with a rival £2.5m sports and entertainment complex. Tim Cranston has been suspended without pay because of his involvement in the so-called Player Bar, a swish development also backed by Prince Naseem and Def leppard rock stars Joe Elliott and Rick Savage. Cranston a qualified lawyer, pleads not guilty to accusations of conflict of interests. He says he was merely providing the legal back-up for the venture as part of his daily duties as a solicitor. He was wearing a Steelers track-suit, his bosses believe people seeing the picture would draw the inference that Steelers were backing the venture.

Steelers have agreed term with new imported forward Ed Courtney and he could be playing in Sheffield within a fortnight.

Steelers have agreed term with new imported forward Ed Courtney South Carolina Stingrays. The fourtyfour-game Nhl player could be playing in Sheffield within a fortnight.

1998 

JANUARY: Former Steelers owner David Gardner Brown refused to comment on speculation he may try to win back a slice of the club, which is up for sale. Bryan Adams pop superstar fuelled speculation of a pop buy-out by attending both Steelers matches at Sheffield Arena. He was a guest of Sheffield songwriter Elliot Kennedy, with a possible pop consortium buy-out or investment in Steelers.

FEBRUARY: Steelers exchange contracts with Sheffield company Commercial Project Development, selling of the club's Enfield Pub and land off Broughton lane. The profit of the estimated £500,000 sale -- probably something around £180,000 will pay off most of the club's debts

APRIL: Alex Dampier walked out of Sheffield Arena, the manager who made Sheffield Steelers a household name refused to take pot shots on those he left behind however critical some had been of him over the last months.

Steelers began the giant task of restructuring their club by appointing Dave Simms as new team manager. The former Solihull Barons team manager will be responsible for choosing the new coach to lead the club towards the millennium.

Steelers cut applications for coach to final three--Don McKee 55 has been Principal head coach at Canada's Waterloo University, Larry Floyd 38 he was general manager of New York Falcons. The Third is Paul Thompson who has played for Steelers, and now coaches Solihull Blaze.

AND ON TO NEXT ONE