Widnes Wild’s General Manager Wez Spurrett, has thanked fans for their support this season, after beating Billingham Stars on Easter Sunday.
Spurrett praised fans on a statement released on the Widnes Wild website, for their loyal support and dedication to following the team, as the season concluded two days ago.
On Sunday (April 17), Wild and Stars were locked in a 2-2 tense affair during the second period break.
Then Liam Charnock broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute, as Widnes held out for a victory.
The 3-2 win at Planet Ice was not enough to turn around the 8-1 Quarter-Final deficit, suffered in the away leg, the day before.
A thank you from our GM, Wez Spurrett is now available to read online 👇https://t.co/dQjDAlZSXs pic.twitter.com/gdwQAVL1KU
— YKK Widnes Wild (@WidnesWild) April 19, 2022
Despite missing out on the chance of competing during the Play Off Final weekend, Spurrett takes many positives from the 2021/22 season.
He told Merseysportlive: “Even though I became the GM 12 months ago, I have already had a full season, 2 playoff series and 3 cup competitions in that time.
“So 12 months doesn’t actually sound that long.”
Prior to his time at YKK Widnes Wild, Spurrett had experiences at Manchester Storm, in and around many different roles.
This also led to the formation of his own recreational team, Manchester Swarm, for a few years.
Spurrett has had to adapt to many different situations since working with Widnes Wild, which include adapting to a new league and steering the team out of the problems the pandemic presented.
“The best way to describe it would be an absolute whirlwind of an experience, one that I continue to enjoy.”
Christmas Covid outbreak
With many successes during the season, there were also setbacks, which included COVID outbreaks in the squad.
“Just after Christmas we did have an outbreak within the team that unfortunately affected nearly half the team.”
The team were due to play Solihull Barons in December, but were forced to postpone due to a COVID outbreak that “unfortunately affected nearly half the team”.
“It’s one thing playing with half a team, it’s another risking spreading it to another team and fans, and clearly postponing the game was the right thing to do whilst we effectively shut the club down for a couple of weeks.
“We were lucky enough that the EIHA and Solihull Barons were kind enough to allow us to reschedule that game to later in the season.”
Highlights of being GM
Picking the greatest moment during his tenure, despite describing the first two trophy wins as great, this season’s cup campaign success is what sticks out to Spurrett most.
Widnes won their first ever Moralee Cup with a 7-6 aggregate win over Dundee Comets on February 20 and Spurrett enjoyed the underdog perception people had of the Wilds.
“Mainly due to seeing how much all the team put into that cup run, and because as soon as the groups were announced we were ruled out by so many to even get out of the group.
“And then the semi’s and final, no-one other than the Wild fans, and within the team, gave us any chance. So lifting the trophy at the end just made it that much more enjoyable.
“I have been lucky enough to have witnessed the team win 3 trophies in my 12 months here.”
A monumental victory for the team, another tongue-in-cheek highlight for the GM, was a post game interview involving Dani Haid and Chris Wilcox.
“If you haven’t seen it, go find it!”
Check out the interview below:
With a work life involving manager roles for nearly a decade now, Spurrett says stresses associated with the GM role were not a culture shock for him.
Despite the managerial experience elsewhere, he reiterates: “It still doesn’t make the stresses or tough decisions any easier, just more familiar.”
Long term vision
Spurrett’s ambition for the Wild’s long term future?
“Continuation,” he adds.
“Continuing what me and Rich started to build this year.
“Which is continuing to grow the club, and continue the fine winning tradition Widnes Wild have here.”
Widnes Wild season concluded with an impressive third place finish during their first season in the NIHL Division 1 North (Moralee) league and winning the D1 North Cup.
“Third in the league and the cup win is a great start, but we don’t intend to stop here.
“We know the league expectations better now, so we know what to expect next year which will allow us to be more prepared.”
Doubling down on the praise of the fans released in the statement on their website, Spurrett complimented the supporters further.
He said: “We are lucky to have great fans that send great feedback, good and bad, that help us throughout the season and keep us going in the right direction.”
With the season now finished, the Club Presentation Evening proceeds on May 13 and fans can buy tickets to the event for £15.
