One Direction compensation for Sheffield ice hockey fans

The boy band had been set to play the Odyssey Arena on Tuesday, October 20 but had to cancel after band member Liam Payne fell ill.

The concert was hastily re-arranged for the following Friday by the Arena - the same night the Steelers were due to play the first of two games in as many nights against rivals Belfast Giants.

The decision left both the club and fans who had booked travel and hotels significantly out of pocket.

But, during an Elite League board meeting, Steelers owner Tony Smith secured agreement to recompense fans who had made the trip.

As well as the “free” tickets fans received for the game for the following evening’s game in Belfast that weekend, all Steelers fans who travelled will be compensated £100 per person. The Giants will also be responsible for covering all of the Steelers’ expenses in the yet to be re-arranged game in Belfast.

“I’m not sure it is a satisfactory outcome for all concerned,” said Smith, who also operates as the league’s chairman. “I am still very annoyed at the course of action the Belfast owners took in cancelling the game at such short notice. We have to move on, though.

“It took some time but, in the end, we got the fans some compensation and that was our No 1 priority. We can’t operate without the fans and we can’t treat them in this way when it is completely avoidable.”

The Sheffield Steelers Supporters’ Club will compile a list of all who travelled to Belfast over the period of Friday and Saturday, October 23-24.

Anyone who travelled either as part of the official SSSC group or independently should contact Sandra Jones ([email protected] ) by November 26 with proof of their visit to Belfast.