THE region's top ice hockey club has been handed a £10,000 fine for not paying its players and coach from the end of last season.

The Newcastle Jesters and their owners have been ordered to make arrangements to pay the outstanding wages immediately.

The decision was announced by the Ice Hockey Superleague (ISL) yesterday following a board meeting.

About £150,000 is owed by the club's owners, Fablon Investments, and its media arm, the Eye Group, from February, March and April's wage packets.

The league's standards committee found that the club, the Eye Group and chairman Paul Smith "jointly and severally" guilty of the charge of failing to pay the players and coach at the end of last month.

This decision was referred to the board meeting, for the punishment to be determined.

A ban on the Jesters registering new players with the ISL will be kept in place until arrangements for the transfer of the money have been made.

The club last week appointed Glenn Mulvenna, who coached the side for the last five games of the 2000/1 season, as its new director of hockey and he has just over a month to put together a squad in time for the new season.

While he has agreed terms with at least two players, including the club's top goalscorer, Mikko Koivunoro and former Manchester Storm captain Blair Scott, he is unable to register them with the league.

Mr Smith, who has suggested he will step down as chairman, could not be contacted for comment last night.