
In 2012, the Cheshire Phoenix were on the verge of collapse. The league had withdrawn their franchise from the owner after he threatened to cancel contracts and fixtures. The club needed £50,000 to survive. What happened next wasn’t a corporate bailout or quiet restructuring—it was a rescue driven by the people. Local businesses chipped in.

In a league defined by parity, a clear identity can be a competitive edge. Cheshire have leaned into theirs more than anyone—playing faster, shooting more, and living with the consequences. But as the season has unfolded, that commitment has begun to look more like a limitation than a strength. They still play with breakneck pace