14 Seasons as the Steelers Title Sponsors
Thank You Sheffield Window Centre
“Who would have known when I made that call to Ian Hunter back in 2011 the journey and relationship that the Steelers would have had with Sheffield Window Centre over the following 14 seasons”. The words of Steelers owner Tony Smith, who today led the thanks and tributes to SWC following the news that the club would have a new title sponsor for the 2025-26 Elite League season.
With the Sheffield Window Centre name and logo on the front of the Steelers shirt the club has achieved stability and growth off the ice as well as success and a Grand Slam on it.
“It was more than a sponsorship agreement” said Smith, “it was two local businessmen coming together who wanted to make a difference. Ian was a massive speedway man and his work with the Tigers was outstanding, for over a decade he and his company showed us the same loyalty and dedication that he had shown his beloved racing team”
In the time that the Steelers and Sheffield Window Centre have been in partnership the club has almost tripled it’s attendances at the Arena, with the backing of SWC the Steelers stabilised after years of upheaval and have now grown into the Country’s largest ice hockey club and brand, known not just in Yorkshire but throughout the UK and Europe following our involvement in the Champions Hockey League.
With stability off the ice the club also enjoyed huge success on it, under the SWC banner, winning the Play Off title in 2014, followed by the Elite League Championship a year later.
The Steelers then repeated winning the league title in 2016 on the final day of the season in Fife.
Rod Sarich, Guilliume Desbiens and The King of Sheffield Mathieu Roy all wearing the Steelers / Sheffield Window Centre shirts on that incredible night.
A year later, the play offs, in the most dramatic circumstances, the following season with Levi Nelson’s double overtime winning goal.
Sheffield Window Centre on the front of our shirts for another incredible trophy lift.
With Aaron Fox at the helm on ice success returned in 2020 as the Steelers lifted the Challenge Cup, the final game played in the UK before Covid
Michael Davies (2) Brendan Connolly and Marco Vallerand ensuring victory on that incredible day in Coventry.
Sheffield Window Centre also supported the Steelers during that difficult period as the club took part in the Elite Series that was played behind closed doors in Nottingham and watched by hundreds of thousands of hockey fans across the land.
Steelers, Nottingham Panthers, Coventry Blaze and the Manchester Storm ensured hockey was played in that dark period supported by Sheffield Window Centre and our other partners.
The SWC branding was of course on the front of our shirts throughout the 2023-24 season.
The Grand Slam Season, a special year that saw the Steelers lift the Challenge Cup, League title and end of season play offs.
“The reality is that the Steelers wouldn’t be where they are without the likes of Ian Hunter and SWC, their branding on our shirts and merchandise has been synonymous with the club for so long.
“We certainly hope that the relationship with Sheffield Window Centre remains for many years to come and that Ian, his family and work colleagues continue to enjoy their time inside the Arena watching and supporting the Steelers
“We can’t thank them enough”