In this episode, I speak with former Bournemouth Stags, Swindon Wildcats and Manchester Storm player and coach Daryl Lipsey.
Originally from North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Daryl arrived in the UK almost by accident after a move to Germany fell through. Signed by the Bournemouth Stags in 1984 at just 20, he vividly recalls his shock at the Westover Ice Rink — complete with fish netting instead of plexiglass — and realising, "this is it."
After two seasons in Bournemouth, Daryl became a central figure with the Swindon Wildcats, spending nine years as both player and coach and helping shape the club's growth.
In 1995, Daryl joined the brand-new Manchester Storm as the club's first-ever employee, later becoming Head Coach. Despite difficult circumstances, he guided the Storm to the 2002 Playoff Final, narrowly losing to the Sheffield Steelers on penalty shots.
The episode concludes with Daryl reflecting on the Storm's dramatic collapse later that year — from being the first man in at Manchester to the last man out — perfectly capturing the rise and fall of the franchise.
