2021 marked Cardiff Devils’ 35th birthday. The decorated Welsh hockey outfit have established themselves as one of the biggest names in the British hockey circuit, carrying with them history which is both illustrious and inconsistent in equal measures. Few sides have reached the highs or the lows that the Devils have throughout their 35-year run which is an impressive feat.
The Devils took British hockey by storm in the late 80s shortly following their formation and quickly shot up the divisions. After securing their first Premier Division League title in the 1989-90 season, they earned their first ever Play Off Championship in what was largely considered to be the greatest ever final against the Murrayfield Racers, in a season which established the Devils as a force to be reckoned with.
In the years following however fan unrest became a common theme for multiple reasons, ranging from poor mismanagement from the board following the team’s bankruptcy in 2001, to the planned demolition of the Wales National Ice Rink in 2006.
The glory days have since returned however, with the Devils winning their most recent trophy in 2019 as they won the Play Off Championships once again.
I had the chance to speak to a number of Devils fans as they rolled back the years and reminisced on their favourite and most memorable moments of the Devils’ 35-year run.
Lifelong supporter and volunteer Eleanor Jones spoke on how following the Devils has helped her forge lasting friendships when asked of her favourite memories. “Memories of meeting friends from other teams, indeed two Sheffield fans are now my daughter’s godparents!”. She also spoke on her recollection of the Devils returning to winning ways after a dismal period of mediocrity. “The blue tent was temporary for 10 years but we loved it, then IAW opened with awesome owners and a fabulous GM, finally the Devils were back winning the Challenge Cup in Sheffield!”.
Journalist Rachel Jones shared a similar story of when the Devil’s claimed the Challenge Cup in Sheffield. “I don’t think I’d heard Devils fans scream that loudly in a while. You literally just hugged the person closest to you. I hugged a complete stranger but because we were so happy celebrating no one cared!”. Rachel also shared a tale of her away trip when the Devils faced Graz 99ers in the Champions Hockey League (CHL) in 2019. “It’s the only away game in the CHL that the Devils have won and it’s one that stands out to me because we didn’t have any expectations”. “Whenever the red army travels, we make a good impression. We make friends, we drink beers and we have fun. When we arrived in Graz there was security everywhere, but by the time we left they were having fun with us!”
Paul Packer, who previously worked at the Wales National Ice Rink, also shared a story which echoed the sense of unity that the other Devil’s fans had previously talked about. “I started work there with the intention of playing hockey at 18, but the biggest thing I can remember about the old rink was the feeling of family. All looking out for each other and having that laugh in the bar with the players after the game.”
Owen Gardner's Sports Blog 