Hockey Zlín is in disarray. None possible or but. A purely theoretical chance of rescue can definitely go out every other round. None of the fans has much doubt that when the Rams play the last match of the basic part at home with Pardubice on March 8, the extra league will be a thing of the past in Zlín.
The disgust of local fans escalated a few weeks ago when they decided to send an open letter to the club’s management, calling on the club’s officials to resign immediately.
The letter also included a petition that collected 1564 signatures. Among them are the most loyal fans of the Aries, who have threatened that if nothing fundamental changes, they will not support the club by buying season tickets next season.
It is difficult to assess how big and effective the fan initiative itself has been. But there is no doubt that the management has come under public pressure.
Now it looks like there could be someone in Zlín who would like to revive a poorly functioning hockey body. According to iSport, forty-five-year-old Robert Hamrla can lead Berany as the new general manager and co-owner of the club.
The former extra-league goalkeeper caught in Zlín at the end of the 1990s. Subsequently, he commuted until 2006 between the second and third highest competition. He is currently involved in advertising and marketing politics and business.
Hamrla offered to provide the club with a sponsorship amount of three million crowns for the next three years if he enters Zlín hockey as well. For this, he demands the position of general manager with broad decision-making powers.
The mayor of the city and the president of the Zlín club Jiří Korec confirmed the interest. Intensive negotiations are taking place these days. The city, which owns 49% of the shares, which is the most of all shares, is also positive about the whole matter.
So far, it does not look like hockey Zlín has to suffer financially in any significant way. Zlín City Hall (which contributes the largest amount to the club), but also the titular partner company PSG, wants to continue its financial support. It contributes to the running of the club by four million a year.
Within three years, Hamrl would like to find someone to become the club’s majority owner, finding another five million a year for the club. He does not rule out that it could be him in the end.
If his desire to join the club under the auspices of the general manager is fulfilled, he wants to immediately declare an attack to return to the extra league. At the beginning of March, when the general meeting will take place, the topic will also be the possible purchase of a part of the city share.
According to the marketing entrepreneur, the club in the economic part is not so bad. The current season should not be a loss, although for most of the basic part of the game it was accompanied by a limited number of fans in the stands. With the arrival of Hamrla, the Zlín Club could improve even more financially.
Putting together a competitive team to return to the extra league would probably not be such a great utopia. In addition, legends such as Petr Čajánek or Petr Leška want to continue working in the club. The interest in supporting Zlín hockey is definitely not at a freezing point, as it might seem at first glance.
Source: iSport
