Sheffield Steelers owner Tony Smith lobbying Government on importance of ice hockey to UK economy

Part of his strategy is to educate the Government about the role played by hockey, which is the biggest indoor sport in the UK and contributes up to £10m to the economy annually.

Some officials at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport were not aware about ice hockey's place in the scheme of things, he believes.

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But now Smith is hoping they have a better understanding, after lobbying them.

"We have not given up on having some EIHL ice hockey in January or February," he said.

"We are still in a position as a league that some of the clubs would be ready to go if we get a significant change in the situation.

"January or February would be nice, but if as suggested the Government is considering a full lockdown for a few weeks, when the kids are off, it is looking less possible.

"I wouldn't use the words that the season is cancelled but I think there is less chance of us getting started in January than there was a couple of months ago."

Smith has been a monthly advocate of ice hockey's case, to Whitehall.

And the businessman also acknowledged that the Royal Albert Hall has been told it can open its doors to reduced audiences this Christmas.

He thinks that is a positive sign, although restricting crowds to 3,000 would be too small a number for Steelers.

"We are in a similar position to the live music industry," he told The Star.

"What does the Government do to keep these people (employees) in place after furlough and until the season starts again?

"Please don't say retrain - these are skilled workers.

"Come up with a new idea Mr Chancellor or Boris. We want to know what is available."

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Smith, whose Sheffield-based sportswear firm is currently open just two days a week, pointed out: "Hockey in Sweden has just started, Italy is starting and others around Europe are in position to play with low crowds."

He added that non league football was receiving a UK Government bail out and rugby and cricket had found a way to survive.

"I don't want ice hockey to fall between the cracks and be forgotten about. Like it or lump it we are the biggest indoor sport in the country.

"We are reminding people just how many people do come and watch ice hockey. Particularly in Sheffield, we can get 9,400 people crammed to the rafters. We want to make sure we are not forgotten about.

"I think we have managed to raise the profile considerably. In the early days I think the department didn't know about what ice hockey was about in this country.

"I think they were very surprised to hear we are the biggest indoor sport in the UK.

"At the beginning, the only part of sport they have really taken seriously was football and rugby."

Smith said that directly and indirectly, the EIHL helped put between £8-10m into the economy every year.

"That's not just clubs, it's the arenas, the rinks, the food and beverage, the car parking everything else that is associated, visas, flights travel, ticket revenue, secondary spend, we think about £10m as an organisation."

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