About GBSC

The Great Britain Ice hockey Supporters club – The Home of the Fifth Line

The Great Britain Ice hockey Supporters club was formed in June 1993. The formation was the brainchild of Annette and Allan Petrie.

After arranging a trip for approx. 12 fans in Copenhagen in 1991 they took 25 fans from Slough, Nottingham, Medway and Bracknell to GB’s triumphant promotion in Eindhoven 93. While there, they found out that many fans had paid over the odds for their trip and some had come independently. Because of this the supporters club was formed.

Back in GB Annette and Allan contacted the BIHA and permission was granted to use the BIHA logo and become the Official GB Supporters Club.

There was then the Olympic Qualifier held in Sheffield where memberships grew and the Supporters club was officially launched.

Since then they have arranged trips to Pool A in Bolzano, Pool B in countries such as Holland, Slovenia, Denmark, Poland and Slovakia. There have also been mini trips to Holland, Denmark and Gdansk in Poland for the Olympic Qualifiers when the fans even managed a trip to the seaside!

Even the junior teams and Women have been supported in tournaments as the fans travelled to Hull, Croatia and Lithuania to cheer the teams on.

On the trips new friendships have been made and old friendships renewed. There has been sun and snow and numerous funny incidents to mention. People do not just go on the trips for the hockey, there is always plenty of sightseeing and experiencing the cultures of these different countries.

The two main aims of the GBSC are to arrange trips for the fans to the World Championships, this is not just the seniors but also the juniors and womens’ teams, and to raise funds for the GB national team programmes. Since its formation the GBSC have raised over £50,000 for the GB programme.

So if you are looking to join a Supporters Club with a difference and come on what some describe as very long hockey weekenders with lots of laughs and a good standard of hockey, then join us today!