Wightlink Raiders travel to Invicta Dynamos on Sunday evening for what will be their final game of the current NIHL1 South season.
NEWS: EIHA statement on @wightlinkraider and updates on @WightlinkB and the juniors at Isle of Wight https://t.co/F0vcpH3bdm
— English Ice Hockey (@EIHA_Official) October 23, 2016
While the news is undoubtedly a massive blow to the sport on the Isle of Wight, the final couple of lines in the Raiders’ statement does give some hope that the club may return in the future.
“While the short term is hard to bear we would like you all to know that we have not and will not give up and will continue working towards the future to get ice hockey/skating etc back on our island,” it read.
“However, for the time being, after over 1000 games and over a dozen major trophies it is with great sadness the Wightlink Raiders are now signing off.”
Whether the Raiders pull something out of the fire remains to be seen, but if there is hope for the future it’s fingers crossed from BIH that it becomes a reality.
We’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone connected to the club the best of luck for the future and we hope that this is ‘au reviour’ rather than ‘goodbye’.
To mark the Raiders’ last outing, our latest Twitter Talk feature takes a look at the reaction to the club’s demise:
Up there with one of the worst evenings in my life.
— Ben Paynter (@14paynter) October 22, 2016
Gutted for @jeremycornish11 & every1 @wightlinkraider. The stability and success brought to the club in recent years cannot be overlooked.
— Chris Wiggins (@Wiggy_82) October 22, 2016
Very sad to learn that after tomorrow night, @wightlinkraider will be no more. Had some great evenings on the Island supporting the team pic.twitter.com/ITbhFOAOT9
— Mike Tyler (@MikeyTRRP) October 22, 2016
Why the loss of Wightlink Raiders is only part of the story as ice hockey on the #IsleofWight faces ruin https://t.co/HPiu43F6z6 @iwcponline pic.twitter.com/3iMbvQ4iGY
— David Carr (@carrsy2) October 23, 2016
@wightlinkraider Proud to say I was a Raiders fan! Thankyou for the 23-ish years of hockey I got to see. pic.twitter.com/gsnIm8BFy4
— Gavin Cager (@GCager72) October 23, 2016
Was lucky enough to ? the 1st (& 2nd) leg of @wightlinkraider Vs @BracknellHornet back in 2014/15 playoffs. Great times! #iow #icehockey pic.twitter.com/qEQQJihLcu
— Chris Callaghan (@ccphotographic) October 23, 2016
Not saying goodbye yet just for now @wightlinkraider thanks for all the memories of the yrs we will miss you pic.twitter.com/LLi8kO1gqs
— Dawn danger (@DawnDanger) October 23, 2016
So gutted for all involved @wightlinkraider it’s been a blast and hopefully we meet again soon. Will give you a great send off tonight https://t.co/1HSgNFt5OO
— Lee Allen (@LeeJAllen) October 23, 2016
Anyone who’s lost a team (& even those who haven’t) spare a thought for @wightlinkraider today. All the best from Billog guys #hockeyfamily
— Billingham IHSC (@BigRedMachineSC) October 23, 2016
@wightlinkraider absolutely gutted, your matches were always entertaining, still hoping it’s a see you later, not a final goodbye!
— Carrie-Ann Boswell (@boswell_carrie) October 23, 2016
Long term supporter and always a smiling face on the merchandise table on game days. Total lump in throat reading this pic.twitter.com/xMtSUg7D0G
— David Carr (@carrsy2) October 23, 2016
Going to miss these days out @wightlinkraider pic.twitter.com/NWUWKLaE3V
— Phil Ranson (@philranson46) October 23, 2016
Sad to see the end of @wightlinkraider and sad for all the juniors & rec clubs based at @RydeArena. We know how it feels here in Hull!
— IceOnTheHumber (@IceOTHumber) October 23, 2016
@wightlinkraider Thank you @jeremycornish11 @wightlinkraider for being such a great team, proud of supporting you all – never let us down!
— Abel Cambra (@AbelCambra) October 23, 2016
