Limbs, tension and rivalries: By Vivika Sahajpal, James Hadland, Ayman Ahmer & Vinay Patel
For those of you who are Nottingham newcomers, you might wonder how to spend your free time. Whether you’re an avid sports fan or not, Nottingham has you covered. So, take a look at some of Impact Sport’s recommendations for navigating the city’s sporting scene…
Nottingham Panthers: A red-hot atmosphere in an ice-cold rink Amongst the many and varied sports teams gracing Nottingham’s different grounds, you’ll find ice hockey’s Nottingham Panthers. Despite its sizable popularity in the likes of Canada and the United States, ice hockey still has a strong presence in the UK, with Nottingham’s own team helping to lead the charge. Donning black, gold and white, they sit with nine other teams in the Elite Ice Hockey League, the only league of any sport in the UK to have teams from all four nations.
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Founded in 1939, the Nottingham Panthers have a history boasting 34 players who have represented Great Britain at World Championships and in Olympic qualifying, not to mention the 16 players enshrined in the British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame. Just this year, Nottingham Panthers’ forwards Mike Hammond and Matthew Myers were named in GB’s 2023 World Championship squad. Starting off in September with back-to-back matches against their arch-rivals, the Sheffield Steelers, the Panthers are in for a tumultuous season with new head coach Jonathan Paredes hoping to lead them to victory. The Nottingham Panthers play in the National Ice Centre, which is just a short walk away from Lace Market. Each game provides an amazing opportunity to experience a competitive and exciting sporting atmosphere, with fans from both universities and the city itself filling the stadium with chanting and cheering. Every Panthers match has the potential to be full of fun and suspense, from their entertaining mascot, down to their tension-building commentaries and backing music. The presence of the Panthers in Nottingham gives all UoN students the chance to discover something new and maybe even get into a sport they’ve never watched before!
“Donning black, gold and white, they sit with nine other teams in the Elite Ice Hockey League, the only league of any sport in the UK to have teams from all four nations.” Notts County are Back! Notts County are back in the big time, but the real hard work starts here. After four painful years away from the Football League, the side have a major point to prove. It is imperative that they build off their solid form last season, demonstrating consistent performances against the greater set of competitors in League Two. County have made four key signings, all with EFL experience, to ease their transition onto the next rung of the footballing pyramid. The improvement of the playing standard between leagues can be taken for granted, but the squad seems well-prepared to continue evolving. Captain Kyle Cameron has mentioned how his side has to be “over prepared” for their new campaign against better opposition. Head coach Luke Williams implied that better decision-making will be key in adjusting to life in League Two. However, opposing sides should be wary of the talent that they have at their disposal. Macaulay Langstaff will be looking to continue his impressive form from last season, having scored 42 goals in 47 games. The euphoric feeling of play-off glory at Wembley certainly brought the squad together, reinforcing a sense of pride and self-esteem, a culture that County are keen to conserve at the club. Another aspect they will want to maintain is the bouncing atmosphere at Meadow Lane, which is only a 15 minute walk from the train station. With a stadium capacity that is nearly double the average in League Two, County are truly back where they belong in the Football League. And with affordable pints, who can say no? While the challenge of entering a new league can seem daunting, County need to relish the opportunity of playing against higher-quality teams.
“The euphoric feeling of play off glory at Wembley certainly brought the squad together, reinforcing a sense of pride and self-esteem” 45
