Humberside Seahawks
| Humberside Seahawks | |
 |
|
| Founded | 1988 |
| History |
Humberside Seahawks 1988–1993 Humberside Hawks 1993–1996 Kingston Hawks 1996–1999 |
| Arena | Hull Arena |
| Capacity | 2,000 |
| City | Hull, England |
| Team Colours | White, Black & Silver |
Humberside Seahawks later known as Humberside Hawks and then Kingston Hawks, were an English ice hockey club from Kingston upon Hull. Founded during 1988 the club played their home games at Hull Arena. The club went through several name changes due to council influence, before dissolving in 1999. Since that time; the club was followed first by Hull Thunder from 1999 until 2002 and then by Hull Stingrays from 2003 until 2015.
The Humberside Seahawks were founded in 1988 under the ownership of Humberside County Council and the management of Adrian Florence. Beginning life in the old Heineken League Division 2, Canadian player-coach Dale Lambert quickly led the fledgling Seahawks to glory, winning the Division 2 title (and promotion to Division 1) in their inaugural season. Just two seasons later, in 1990/91, the Seahawks lost just three games in winning the Division 1 title, which they followed up by winning their play-off group and gaining promotion to the Heineken League Premier Division after just three years in the league.
In their first season in the top flight the Seahawks quickly made their mark. Thrilling home wins against reigning champions, Durham Wasps, and runners up, Cardiff Devils, backed up bench coach Peter Johnson's bold claim that they would be battling in the top four, not against relegation. He was true to his word, leading the team to fourth place and the final of the Autumn Cup, a 5–7 defeat to the Nottingham Panthers, in the first final staged at the brand new 10,000 seat Sheffield Arena. Few doubt the season might have been more successful had it not been for long-term injuries to star imports Jim Lynch, Scott Morrison and Ross Lambert, who was also fined and suspended for threatening revenge on Wasp Stephen Cooper.
"Think Humberside Seahawks, think 1992/93, think Wembley!" – Malcolm Richardson, Hull Daily Mail.
1992/93 was to be Seahawks last. Fittingly it was also their most successful. Despite finishing 7th in the league – a feat no doubt inspired by the pre-season turmoil that saw first Ross Lambert and then Peter Johnson assume the role of head coach – Seahawks secured a 6–5 victory over the Wasps to win the Castle Eden Cup, a traditional two-day tournament held in February and featuring four teams based in the North East of England.
...
Wikipedia