David Simms Podcast Interview Part 1 – Episode S5E01
Welcome to the very first Podcast interview of Series 5. In today’s show my guest is former Solihull Barons team manager and current Sheffield Steelers
MC David Simms.
David discovered ice hockey in the mid 1980’s. He and a girlfriend decided to go ice skating at Solihull’s Hobbs Moat Road. However, the usual skating session had been cancelled, in its place was a Solihull Baron ice hockey game. They stayed for the game and David was hooked, he became a Barons supporter, committee member and then team manager.
In 1991, everything changed and David found himself working for the UK’s first Arena ice hockey team, the Sheffield Steelers.
And so began a 30 year love affair that continues to this day.
Solihull Barons
In this episode David talks about:
- Discovering Ice Hockey.
- How he became the Barons team manager.
- Firing imports for the very first time.
- Signing Brent Sapergia.
- Brent Sapergia leaving the UK in a hurry – the true story.
- Jim Pennycook’s injury – the true story.
- The story behind the 1991 demise of the Solihull Barons and his first death threat.
Sheffield Steelers
in the beginning
The year 1991 wasn’t just turbulent for David and the Solihull Barons, the Sheffield Steelers were also about to be born. It just so happened that David was right in the middle of that too.
In this segment of Episode 1, Part 1, David talks of:
The deal he negotiated to save the Solihull Barons, why it was scuppered and by whom.- Why he chose to walk away from the Barons to join the Sheffield Steelers.
- Why the Steelers had to start, 3 tiers down in the English Premier Division.
- The night he became game night announcer and why.
- The most important player ever to play for the Steelers.
- Ice hockey 0898 Hotlines – remember them.
All this and much more and it’s only Part 1 of the David Simms interview.
Alumni
You can also listen to Podcast interviews from David’s Alumni of former team mates here:
Sheffield Steelers
Ron Shudra Episode S1E03
Les Millie Episode S1E05
Ken Priestlay Episode S1E09
Jamie Leach Episode S1E10
Scot Neil Episode S1E23
Selmar Odelein Episode S2E01
Tommy Plommer Episode S2E03
Steve Carpenter Episode S2 E06
Wayne Cowley Episode S3E01
Nicky Chinn Episode S3E02
Tony Hand Episode S3E09
Tim Cranston Episode S4E05
André Malo Episode S4E10
Solihull Barons
Chuck Taylor Episode S1E29
Mark Budz Episode S3E07
Gary Newbon Episode S5E03
Gary Newbon Blog Post
Patreon
You know I really love contacting former players and recording their hockey memories and then editing and producing this Podcast to bring those memories to you.
More importantly I know you love hearing them too.
We all love listening to those often hidden stories from inside the game, the stories that we, as fans, never get to hear.
Above all it really gives me a buzz every time I upload a brand new Podcast, knowing that you’ll remember and reminisce about those memories from your hockey heroes of the past.
However, it’s not cheap bringing this Podcast to you, that’s why I’ve chosen to use Patreon to ask for donations to keep the Podcast going.
You can really help the show by donating say, just £2 per month for the price of a cup of Coffee or the price of a Beer at £6 – you really will be helping to keep the show going.
In addition, my Patrons will receive a reward, right now there are 4 different reward levels to chose from.
Plus I’ll be continually posting to Patreon, Videos and Podcasts that are exclusive to you, my Patrons.
Click on to the video below, I’ve recorded a brief “Welcome to my Page” video – well, that’s from me and the dog – you’ll see what I mean when you checkout it out.
If you’d like more information about Patreon, the video below explains everything:
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