NOTTINGHAM Panthers – the best supported team in the Elite League – are aiming for another crowd figure over the 4,000-mark for the visit of a feisty Cardiff Devils outfit to the National Ice Centre tomorrow (5pm).

On a day, it has to be pointed out, that is not their usual match-night.

Having one of the biggest and newest fan bases in the country, however, is no reason for the Panthers management team to sit back and arrogantly expect the supporters to pour through the doors of the Arena.

Since Panthers left the confines of the old Ice Stadium – and a maximum attendance of 2,800, but usually around the 2,300 figure – gates have virtually doubled.

And with Panthers still to win a league title since their reformation in 1980, the regular queues for tickets can't be to watch the most successful team in the country.

That tag, unfortunately, is proudly worn by arch-rivals Sheffield Steelers.

No, Panthers quite simply get off their backsides to promote the game of ice hockey in Nottingham.

Promotions, sponsorship opportunities, press, TV and radio calls – there is hardly a day goes by without Panthers being in the public eye in some form or other.

And they have found that a simple, old-fashioned leaflet drop around the city and its sporting events – such at Forest and Notts County home games and the Carl Froch fights – is paying off in bundles.

Even before the renowned sell-outs of the Panthers v Sheffield clashes at Christmas-time, the backroom team are out in the city centre, trying to bring in new faces.

In the meantime, Edinburgh and Newcastle have this week appealed to their fans to come out and support them because they are surviving on the breadline.

There have even been some veiled "threats" that, if they do not get even more backing from the league and the other teams, they may quit and leave the competition mid-season with just six teams.

As I have said previously, I'd much sooner see a strong six-team league (just like the NHL survived for 70 years) with the possibility of watching top continental sides at the NIC, than seeing a drop in standard to appease the weaker sides. You can only build from a strong base.

But nobody really wants to see that happen.

Sadly, though, some clubs around the country are resigned to the fact that no more than 800 – and less – will turn up to watch their own side play. And they seem to be doing very little to address the problem.

Let's not overly-criticise a newer team like Newcastle, who have been forced to move to Whitley Bay, and their long-established rink, because of escalating costs at the Metro Arena. The key job they have there is convincing the Whitley Warriors faithful to go and see a professional Elite League team rather than the usual lower standard fare.

Edinburgh are different. Their rink, just like Nottingham's first, was built just before the war.

The first Murrayfield team was founded in 1952 and they have played in some form or other ever since, so you'd think there should be some kind of fan base.

But I know people working or at university in Edinburgh who don't even know the existence of a rink, let alone an ice hockey team.

As Elite League chairman Eamon Convery said: "Players have to take on more responsibility in getting out and promoting their teams on the street.

"Perhaps it's an idea if Edinburgh's players pulled on some roller-blades and skated the length of Prince's Street to get the message over."

And he wasn't being facetious. He is just as frustrated as the other directors.

Convery told me today: "I find it ridiculous what fans have been saying, that we stand by and do nothing while these teams struggle.

"Both Newcastle and Edinburgh are running on as lean an operation as possible.

"The league is fully supporting them but it is up to the clubs and, ultimately, their fans to ensure their survival.

"Monies from the Play-offs, the Challenge Cup and, this season, the Twenty/20 tournament and every spare penny has gone to help the struggling teams.

"And anything owed to the league by these teams at the end of last season was written off.

"But the league is not sitting on a big bank balance, by any means.

"Gone are the days when six-figure sums were paid to help London and Basingstoke carry on.

"But I can confirm that we are taking their problems seriously and are doing everything we can to help."

So now you know . . .

mick.holland@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk