In early June, the Blacksmiths announced that they will wait until July 20 to inform them whether they intend to participate in this year's Elite Series or not.
- We are positive for a start on August 11, but we must get a message if there is an audience at the matches. We can't run a season without an audience, that's a big part of our revenue, "Smeders chairman Tobias Spångberg told SVT Sport on June 9.
Today, ESS announced that the smiths have chosen to withdraw from the series.
- Great sin, clearly you want the league to be intact. All clubs are important and we need each other to have someone to run against, says Holmstrand.
According to ESS, the smiths have concluded that it is unsustainable for the club to conduct the season without crowds. Exactly how the reasoning was conducted, however, ESS cannot comment.
- We had two board meetings last week and last Tuesday we had a meeting where they finally announced that they will not start. I have no insight into what their board work has looked like to come up with this.
According to holmstrand, ESS has always worked for the smiths to participate.
- The door has been wide open and they have participated in all conversations. Since then, we have not conducted any persuasion campaign.