London Racers

The London Racers was a British ice hockey club based in London, England formerly members of the Elite Ice Hockey League. Although founded in 2003, it claimed to be a successor of the Harringay Racers club established in 1936. Due to a lack of suitable ice facility the club suspended its team operations part way through the 2005–06 season. It was the last professional ice hockey club to play in London.

London Racers
CityLondon, United Kingdom
LeagueElite Ice Hockey League
Founded2003
Operated2003-2006
Home arenaLee Valley Ice Centre
ColoursRed and White
Owner(s)Roger Black, Tom Wills, Pavel Pojdl
General managerScott Johnston
Head coachN/A
Franchise history
London Racers

2003–04 season

Formed and organized in only a few weeks, the Racers played their home games at Alexandra Palace. Erik Zachrisson captained the team. Their first season was a difficult one, as the team failed to win for some 40 games. Finally, a win arrived with a 3–0 victory over the Cardiff Devils. Another win followed as the team beat the Basingstoke Bison 4–0, but the team finished with a ghastly 3–49–2–2 record, still (as of 2010) the worst in league history.

2004–05 season

The team moved to the 1,200 capacity Lee Valley Ice Centre in Leyton, east London, although the arena was considered small for Elite League hockey. The offseason saw the hiring of former American Hockey League player Dennis Maxwell as Coach, who assembled a much stronger team, including perennial British all-star Steve Moria, and, with the 2004–05 NHL lockout, defenceman Eric Cairns and centre Scott Nichol from the National Hockey League. They made the playoffs in the sixth slot (out of seven teams) with a 19–19–9–3 record, but were eliminated by the Cardiff Devils.

2005–06 season

On 5 November, during a game against the Nottingham Panthers, defenseman Blaž Emeršič sustained serious facial injuries after colliding with a protruding object in the rink boardings. Days later on 13 November a piece of plexiglass was smashed. When the same section of glass smashed again at a training session the following Tuesday, serious questions regarding the safety of players and spectators were raised. Unable to find a new venue or secure agreement on improving safety at Lee Valley, the Racers withdrew their team from competitions on 21 November and subsequently folded.

Head-to-head results

This only counts competitive games. Losses include OT losses. Seasons: 3 (2003-04-2005-06) Record (W-L-T): N/A-N/A-N/A

R GP W L T GF GA
1Basingstoke Bison------
2Belfast Giants------
3Bracknell Bees211056
4Cardiff Devils------
5Coventry Blaze------
6Dundee Stars------
7Edinburgh Capitals------
8Fife Flyers------
9Guildford Flames211035
10Hull Stingrays------
11Manchester Phoenix------
12Newcastle Vipers2 (1 forfeit)10172
13Nottingham Panthers------
14Sheffield Steelers------

Basingstoke Bison

DateVenueResultCompetition
SeasonVenueScore-

Belfast Giants

DateVenueResultCompetition
SeasonVenueScore-

Bracknell Bees

DateVenueResultCompetition
Saturday 9 October 2004AwayLost 5-2Elite/BNL
Friday 22 October 2004HomeWon 3-1Elite/BNL

Cardiff Devils

DateVenueResultCompetition
SeasonVenueScore-

Coventry Blaze

DateVenueResultCompetition
SeasonVenueScore-

Dundee Stars

DateVenueResultCompetition
SeasonVenueScore-

Edinburgh Capitals

DateVenueResultCompetition
SeasonVenueScore-

Fife Flyers

DateVenueResultCompetition
SeasonVenueScore-

Guildford Flames

DateVenueResultCompetition
Wednesday 17 November 2004AwayLost 4-1BNL/Elite
Friday 26 November 2004HomeWon 2-1BNL/Elite

Hull Stingrays

DateVenueResultCompetition
SeasonVenueScore-

Manchester Phoenix

DateVenueResultCompetition
SeasonVenueScore-

Newcastle Vipers

DateVenueResultCompetition
2004/2005ForfeitWon 5-0Elite/BNL
Wednesday 26 January 2005Away2-2 (OT)Elite/BNL

Nottingham Panthers

DateVenueResultCompetition
SeasonVenueScore-

Sheffield Steelers

DateVenueResultCompetition
SeasonVenueScore-
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