Bristol Pitbulls

The Bristol Pitbulls are a professional ice hockey team based in Bristol, England, playing in the English National Ice Hockey League, Division 2 South. They were Division 2 league champions in the 2009-10 season.

History
The Bristol Pitbulls were founded in June 2009. Bristol was without a Senior Ice Hockey team for 16 years until Bristol born Richie 'Gravy' Hargreaves established the Pitbulls. Hargreaves entered the team into the English National Ice Hockey League South Division Two for the 2009-10 season, despite being offered the chance to jump straight into Division One. According to an interview explaining his decision, Hargreaves decided his team 'wasn't ready' and that 'building a strong franchise & fan-base' were the most important thing in the first year.

The Pitbulls are based at the John Nike Ice Rink in Frogmore Street, Bristol. In their first friendly of the 2009-10 season they played the Oxford City Stars from ENIHL South Division One. Both Richie Hargreaves and his Brother Mike 'Killer' Hargreaves, who is also the Captain for the Pitbulls in their first year, used to play for the Stars. The Pitbulls lost 7-4 on home ice, but won 6-4 in a return leg against the Stars in Oxford the following day.