The news that Richard is throwing in the IHC towel comes as a terrific shock to the system and it is news that will reverberate worldwide. Whilst the majority of news stories, articles and posting on IHC are US/Canada-centric the site does in fact have very many international fans and followers outside of North America. IHC has been truly effective in being the news glue that brings huge sections of the sport of inline hockey together.
I have known Rich for several years, in fact since his former incarnation with Roller Hockey Magazine. He has always worked unselfishly and unstintingly for the good of the sport in a way that few others would have done when the going got tough.
As Rich intimated in his posting, one of the reasons the going got even tougher in recent times was because the inline hockey industry was, and still is, too short sighted to see that IHC really does have a worldwide reach and that it has a major influence on the way that the sport is perceived and played internationally. I know many people who have discovered the sport via IHC and have learnt what to buy or not buy as a result of message board postings and columns. The myopic attitude of some in the hockey industry is really hard to understand, perhaps an insider could explain it for the benefit of everyone.
Meanwhile, if a subscription to IHC is the way forward then count me in. But whatever happens, I salute you Rich for the inspiration you have given the sport over the years in all your endeavours. I sincerely hope that you remain involved in our great sport and that IHC continues to inspire and inform everyone interested in the sport around the globe.
LONG LIVE IHC!!!
Alistair Gordon
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