The future of the EIHL

So, after a week of sniping press releases, much rumour, and outright nastiness between some fans, the 'EIHL 6' becomes the 'EIHL 9' for next season.

The alleged split and its reasons seem to have been healed (possibly only temporarily) after a post play-offs meeting of all 9 EIHL member clubs. A plan has been drawn up for 09-10, and the gist of it is a s follows:

10 imports on any given game day may be dressed.
3x Home, 3x Away fixtures, for a shorter 48 game season.
K.O. Cup to be abolished.
Challenge Cup to have its format ammended.
A 'festival of hockey' to be arranged.

So, what does this actually mean? Well, in real terms not much has changed on the players/finacial side. No mention of the wage cap, so we must therefor assume that it is to remain static at the upper limit of £7k per week (not that everyone will adhere to this, mind). The useless KO cup is no more! A revamped Challenge Cup? I'll wait to see what the new format is before calling that one.

The 'Festival' seems interesting, especially given the presence of the Dutch and Belgian leagues at the play-off finals. Can you say 'Aherne Trophy'?

And the shorter regualr season? Well, to my mind this is either to allow for an expanded Challenge Cup, or an ammended playoffs (2 3/4 team groups?).

And just to keep the cat amongst the pigeons, Neil Morris in anoucing the move forward to the local press still kept his options open by giving a 2 week deadline to see these changes ratified, or 'other options' will be explored once more.

Summer of Uncertainty once more, methinks.