Coaching changes were an annual occurrence during the first three years in Glasgow Clan’s history, when they were known as Braehead Clan. Apart from Matt Haywood, the only player who was there throughout, the only other constant was former assistant coach Frank Morris.

The Canadian had a strong background in Scottish ice hockey for 25 years, from arriving to play for Ayr Bruins in 1988, captaining a Fife Flyers team to Grand Slam success in 2000 to his latter years as No.2 to five coaches in four years at Braehead.

Although he never became head coach, despite Clan hiring Bruce Richardson, Drew Bannister, Jordan Krestanovich, Paul Gardner and Ryan Finnerty in that time, there was talk of him taking on the role.

“After the first season, Bruce had re-signed then got an opportunity in Canada, which he took, and for a little while we were left in limbo,” Morris said. “Neil Black, the club owner, called me and asked me to continue the recruitment process until a replacement was found.

“It happened a year later when Drew left and I worked closely with Jordan when he took over which was lot of fun as we’d been at Braehead for a couple of years so knew the lay of the land when it came to bringing in the players we did.

“The possibility of taking over as head coach was touched upon, but because I was teaching full time in Fife, it never became anything. I remember a conversation I had with Neil and he told me that he wouldn’t expect me to give up my teaching job to go into hockey full time.

“Coaches are there to be fired and sometimes, changes are needed. Not necessarily because the current incumbent is doing a bad job, but because there’s a new face needed or new ideas are brought in to freshen things up. It’s a constant change and for me, a healthy part of the sport.

“That said, I felt in Braehead’s early years we were going through too many changes and there was a bit of struggle within myself to say that we needed someone in for a good three seasons.”

Morris left Scotland in 2015 and returned to Alexandria in Ontario where he grew up. He still keeps an eye on young players coming through, which has benefited one of his former colleagues.

“Where I live is ideal with the college not too far away so I’ve been able to put Ryan Finnerty in touch with some of them when he’s recruited for Manchester Storm,” he said. “He doesn’t sign them all, but I have helped at least put them in contact.

“Every one of those coaches brought something to the table and I’ve kept in touch with them all.

“Being that go-between was important for me, working with the head coach and the players, and sometimes you had to be the filter if things got heated after a disappointing night. I enjoyed that role in a great and interesting time in Clan’s early history.”