In this episode, I speak with former Nottingham Panthers, MK Kings and Coventry Blaze forward Marc Twaite — better known to fans as "Smurf".
A product of Nottingham's renowned junior system, Marc began skating at seven, rising through the ranks before making his Panthers debut at just 15. It was club legends Fred Perlini and Jimmy Keyes who gave him the nickname that stuck for life. Marc reflects on being mentored by Paul Adey, playing in the old Nottingham Ice Stadium, and the depth of British talent during that era.
He shares classic dressing-room stories — pranks, characters, and the physical edge of the SuperLeague — and revisits the fierce Panthers–Steelers rivalry from a player's perspective. The conversation also covers the pride of representing Great Britain, the heartbreak of being released by his hometown club, and later spells with the MK Kings and Coventry Blaze.
Recorded fittingly over coffee in his local Costa, this is an honest and nostalgic look back at a true Nottingham hockey story.
