Great Britain Supporters’ Club (GBSC) have reported “unprecedented interest” in the national side following GB Men’s promotion to the top flight of the World Championship.
GB won promotion to Division I Group A with a gold medal in Belfast in 2017 and head coach Pete Russell secured a promotion double as GB upset the odds to win gold in Budapest in April.
GBSC were formed by Allan and Annette Petrie in June 1993, just in time for GB’s last appearance in the top flight of world ice hockey.
Since then, membership has grown and grown as more and more supporters have followed all of GB’s national sides across the world.
Membership secretary, Andy Smith, reveals interest is higher than ever and one particular moment sparked off a rush of interest.
“GB secured promotion to the top flight with Robert Farmer’s famous goal with 15.3 seconds remaining in Hungary,” he said.
“Within 10 minutes I had an email for the first of hundreds of new memberships.
“At our recent AGM, we announced a membership of 674, an increase of 240% since our last meeting and membership continues to grow and grow.”
Annette Petrie, who continues to run GBSC with her husband Allan, added: “I have never known anything like it for interest in GBSC and getting tickets for Slovakia.
“We are getting emails and social media contact on a daily basis. The backing for GB in the top flight next year in Slovakia is going to be phenomenal.
“We have seen massive increases in fans coming over to watch GB Men in the last few years and that’s fantastic.
“But it is not just the men’s side, members of GBSC travel to follow the women and junior sides. There is a real passion for the whole GB programme.”
To register your interest in joining the GB Supporters’ Club please contact membership@gbsc.co.uk.
For all other enquiries, including tickets and accommodation in Slovakia, email gbschq@btinternet.com.
You can also find out more about GBSC on their website.