The demise of the Chelmsford Chieftains was bad news for everyone in the game, while both the Bracknell Bees and Slough Jets have had money worries of their own during the close season.

And despite the fact that both the Jets (EPL play-off champions) and the Bees (EPL Cup holders) appear to have kept the wolves from the door, the next six months look likely to be a hostile environment in the EPL.

So it should at least be comforting for all fans of Peterborough Phantoms to know that their club appears to be in good hands.

Not that the sport in Peterborough has been without its own problems down the years, but under the stewardship of Directors Jon Kynaston, Phil Wing and Rob Housden, the Bretton club have managed to keep clear of the excesses which brought some other clubs to the brink of disaster this summer.

Kynaston said: "Just over a year ago we set out on a five-year plan and we are now entering the second year of that plan. We know it is tough at the moment but we are confident that the club will continue to perform well and that our attendances will remain high.

"Of course, to make that happen it is important that we give our fans a winning product on the ice but that can only happen if things are run well off the ice and at Phantoms that is the case.

"We have a very good off-ice team here at Peterborough and that has meant we have been able to deliver what we hope will be another winning team this season."

"Over the next few years we want to continue to grow our commercial operations so that we are challenging at the very top of the league every season in front of full houses week after week and I think we are getting there.

"We have a great chance of doing well this season and winning a trophy, it is important we build on last year and keep the momentum going."