Neil Morris remains confident Manchester Phoenix will start the EPL season despite placing the team’s holding company into liquidation.

A notice in the London Gazette dated 16th March 2016 states that Freezing Point Ltd has called a meeting of the creditors of the company pursuant to Section 98 of the Insolvency Act 1986.

The Phoenix owner confirmed to BIH the matter was in the hands of his solicitors.

“The holding company has been placed into liquidation and we will follow the procedures detailed to us by our legal people,” said Morris.

“We continue to work with our partners to deliver a new facility in Manchester and Phoenix remain committed to taking their place in the EPL for the 2016/17 season.”

The club subsequently released a statement on their official website which claimed the Phoenix boss is “by far the company’s biggest creditor” and that he would be taking “the biggest financial hit in taking this action”.

Morris also hit back at his critics, saying his efforts to return the team to their home city have been hindered by a “background of sniping, bad-mouthing and attempts to prevent a new rink being opened in Manchester”.

English Ice Hockey Association chairman Ken Taggart said EPL team owners were still discussing the situations at both Phoenix and Bracknell Bees, with both clubs having had financial issues to contend with.

“Right now it’s in a state of flux, but my gut feeling says we’ll still have ten teams next season,” said Taggart.

“There’s pressure from a fixtures perspective to resolve both situations as soon as possible, with 1st June the realistic cut-off point for final decisions to be made.

“Hopefully by that date we’ll have had suitable business plans from both clubs, which will allow the other owners to make an informed decision on next season’s structure.”