At a time when most people would be looking forward to the quiet life, former maths teacher Patterson is gearing up to fly halfway round the world to take on one of the biggest challenges in his ice hockey career.

After three decades coaching ice hockey in the Canadian professional leagues and around the world in Holland and Japan, the latest stop in Patterson's global tour brings him to the Bretton hotseat as a replacement for fellow countryman Phil David.

And while it will be tough to match David's achievements in the English Premier League, the former Kootenay Ice coach is confident he can handle the pressure.

"I have been looking for a coaching job in the UK for a while and through contacts I found out that Phantoms were looking so I made my interest known and after talks we did the deal," he said.

"I am very excited by the challenge. Having coached in Holland for a spell I always wanted to come back to Europe and me and my wife Janice are really looking forward to moving over in August.

"The club is in a very good position after a successful season so there is plenty for me to build on. I have always relished a challenge and being retired from full-time work, the chance to take over as a full-time hockey coach was too good an opportunity to miss."

And if Patterson's pensioner status is likely to raise a few eyebrows among British ice hockey fans, for the club's hierarchy it was not even a consideration.

Director Jon Kynaston said: "The fact Colin is 65 was not an issue at all in a negative sense. In fact it is a plus because he brings experience and authority to the club and the fact he has no off-ice issues with work to deal with means he can dedicate himself to bringing success to our club."