The Manchester Phoenix have quit the Elite League for the English Premier League, the second tier of British hockey, following weeks of speculation.
The club cited the global financial crisis and increasing costs in the Elite League as their motives for leaving, four years after they re-emerged following the demise of the Manchester Storm.
The move leaves the Elite League with eight teams for the 2009/2019 season, the leagues seventh year of exsistence at the top of the British game.
