SHEFFIELD Scimitars' chairman and main benefactor Martin Birch has stepped in to save the club from going under, it was revealed today.
Birch had been looking for months to find a way out of bank-rolling the English Premier League side, Sheffield's "second team" in the ice hockey pyramid.
No new investor was found.
Yet big-hearted Birch has found it impossible to walk away from the iceSheffield set-up without its future being secured.
His decision represents a massive boost to the Scimitars following weeks of speculation.
Birch, managing director of Sheffield-based Baker Blower Engineering, said: "The fans have been very patient. I can confirm that I will be part of the Scimitars.
"The last 12 months have been very hard for me - my own business was severely hit by the floods which saw up to 4ft 6in of water in the engineering shop floor.
"I have been under a great strain to recover a very good engineering business as well as trying to keep the Scimitars going.
"Eventually I will hand over - but only to a safe pair of hands that will provide a long-term future that is so deserved for the Scimitars and its fans.
"The Scimitars will be strong this year and I am working on a few surprises. There is still much work to do but we are getting there and all will become very clear, very soon," he added.
Birch will now turn his attention to appointing a new coach to replace Neil Abel. A decision is expected shortly. Ron Shudra, the former Steelers captain, has already stated he is interested.
What do you think? Post your comments below. READ MORE Football headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categoriesThe full article contains 314 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
