Hand plays down title talk

MANCHESTER Phoenix look set to be the team to beat in this season’s English Premier League — but head coach Tony Hand has warned his players against complacency.

The 42-year-old has built the strongest-looking side in the competition and many are already predicting Phoenix to dominate.

But Hand expects Guildford, Milton Keynes, Swindon and former Elite side Basingstoke to be in the hunt too.

He said: “We want to win and we’ll do everything within our power to hopefully win a lot more games than we lose.

“But, to discount the likes of Guildford, Basingstoke and Milton Keynes so early is folly.

“All three of those clubs are coached by serious and experienced campaigners and I know that they’ll be looking to turn us over just as much as we hope to beat them.”

Tickets for Phoenix Challenge matches against Sheffield Scimitars on Sunday, September 13, have gone on sale, with £1 of every one sold, going to help junior development in the city.