Manchester Phoenix

Manchester Phoenix Ice Hockey Club
City	Altrincham (2007–2015) Deeside, North Wales (2015– 2016), Blackpool (2016–2017), Widnes (2017)
League	English Premier Ice Hockey League
Founded	2003
Folded	2017
Home arena	Widnes Arena (2017)
Colors	White, Black, Red
Owner(s)	Neil Morris
General manager	(N/A) – Neil Morris
Head coach	Tony Hand, MBE
Captain	Luke Boothroyd

Manchester Phoenix was a semi professional ice hockey team from Greater Manchester, England. The club was formed in 2003 as a result of the efforts of supporters group Friends of Manchester Ice Hockey to bring top-level ice hockey back to Manchester after Manchester Storm folded in 2002.

The Phoenix team was a founder member of the Elite Ice Hockey League upon its formation in 2003, playing in the 17,500 capacity Manchester Arena. The cost of using such a large facility proved financially untenable, and Phoenix suspended playing operations in 2004 pending the construction of a smaller purpose built ice facility. Construction of the Altrincham Ice Dome commenced in 2006, and the club returned to the Elite League for the 2006–07 season. After three seasons in the EIHL, the club joined the English Premier Ice Hockey League on 30 April 2009.

During their time in EPIHL, the club was fairly successful, having won two league championships and one playoff final, with multiple appearances at the playoff finals weekend.

In 2015, the club was left without a home rink within Greater Manchester. They played their home games at Deeside Ice Arena in North Wales, Fylde Coast Ice Arena in Blackpool, and finally at Widnes Ice Arena.

The club folded on 31 January 2017 after an unsuccessful meeting with potential investors.^[1]