Ice hockey future depends on better Covid testing as two young Sheffield Steelers fly the nest

The Sheffield team boss has always been optimistic that EIHL teams like themselves, Nottingham Panthers, Belfast Giants, Cardiff Devils and Guildford Flames, could recruit rosters in time for a January or February start, if that timeframe was to be officially sanctioned.

But recently-tightened government restrictions have threatened to drive a final nail into the EIHL coffin, in terms of any sort of campaign before August 2021.

Fox is a 'glass-half-full' kind of guy but admits an EIHL season appears more bleak now.

He is helping in finding work elsewhere for his players - Cole Shudra has been signed for Nittorps IK in Sweden and Alex Graham will be trialling in the Czech U20 league.

"It is harder; (to be optimistic) the Government is holding us hostage here" he said.

"We cannot do anything until we get some support. January and February might feel a long way away but with the new restrictions, and they are saying it might last up to six months, it is harder to see us go in January.

"A lot can happen before then, and I don't want to come off as the negative one, but it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Fox says countries like Switzerland are allowing fans back in venues, with masks.

"The biggest issue here is testing," he said, adding that in Dubai, travellers are swiftly tested at the airport and turned around if they are Covid positive.

He said in other countries, people could get results speedily adding: "That is the key to getting back to normal life, an inexpensive test that gets quick results and people can start doing stuff again."

The coach added: "Things are going to have to get back to normal at some point, whether it is people having to wear a mask everywhere they go...the death rates are down, cases may be up but everything else is down."

Poland is one country where imports could secure work away from the UK, it seems.

One Polish club recently made inquiries about hiring Steelers' ace Brendan Connolly - but he didn't take the deal.

Fox confirmed: "There was some interest there weeks ago and then it kind of went quiet.

"Poland is one of those places that seems to be going right now and without any stop in sight. I know there was some interest in Connolly weeks ago. Conns turned it down.

"He wanted to wait to see how things are here but now I don't know if that same interest is still there."

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