Additional Comments:

This was the Lions’ last game of 1986 and it was certainly a notorious one (see below). We had won eight matches in a row prior to this one, so it was a shame to end the year with a loss.

Mike Grafton wrote about Vesa Pennanen in the match programme…

“There’s been concern lately about Vesa Pennanen, after his recent interview in the IHNR (Ice Hockey News Review). Having spoken to Mike Smith on the matter I can assure all Lions fans that Vesa was given a good wage, better than most, and left on the best of terms, socially and financially. I believe there is a Good Luck or Christmas card going round tonight for all the fans to sign, to show our appreciation of a great servant to the club and a great gentleman.”

Mike also mentioned that the Lorus Quartz advert was back on TV – the ad featured Vesa!

The programme mentioned a possible charity game between the fans and the Lions, with the imports playing on the fans’ side. It was planned by Glen Price (“Millwall”) and was provisionally due to take place on 24th January 1987 with the proceeds going to a children’s charity. Unfortunately it was called off “due to circumstances beyond Glen’s control.”

Lastly, Geof Williams announced in his Captain’s Column that the Southampton game would be his last as Lions’ Captain.

Mike Grafton (Mike Ewer) gave a rundown of the events that made this game so infamous in the match programme of 11/01/87:

“If you have been in a cave for the last month or you live away from the Waltham Forest area I shall give a brief resumé of events on that day. Neil Shea received a Gross Misconduct for allegedly striking a referee with his stick. This carries an automatic two-game ban (10 disciplinary points), PLUS a report by the referee.

“Neil Shea has since been banned for the rest of the season and – here comes the crunch – he cannot be replaced. This is a fair ruling for the odd 1, 2 or 3 game suspension, but half a season? Neil deserved everything he got, but we should not suffer because of that.”

Also in the match programme of 11/10/87 was Ronnie Cee’s column, where he had this to say:

“…I’m sure everyone is aware of the Neil Shea situation, and I think that most people expected Neil’s punishment to be severe, and sure enough it was! But really, should a team have to suffer because of the misdoings of one individual… I think not!

“…He deserved everything he got but the punishment should be his and not the team’s, as it has turned out to be. If we have to play the rest of the season with just Janne and Michael (Barron) then the pressure on these guys to come up with the goods will be immense. This decision by the BIHA has really put a dampener on what was looking a crackig promotion race between the Pirates, the Tigers and ourselves, but now we’ll have to show some fighting spirit if we are to stay with the leaders.”