Ice hockey fans seek trust status

Roary the Telford Tiger mascot, chairman of Co-operatives West Midlands Paul Kalinauckas and forward Marek Hornak

The trust plan has support from Co-operatives West Midlands

Ice hockey fans in Shropshire are planning to set up a supporters trust to save their team which has been unable to play since losing its owners.

Telford Tigers had to pull out of the English Premier League when owners David and Rachel Candling stepped down in April to pursue other commitments.

Some fans have suggested running the club along collective football trust models, in the absence of new owners.

A meeting is being held at Telford Ice Rink later to gauge support.

'Crunch time'

Supporter Mike Dixon said he was hoping for a turnout of about 80 people to ensure the plan could go ahead in time for the next ice hockey season in September 2010.

Representatives from Co-operatives West Midlands as well as AFC Telford United and Shrewsbury Town are due to attend the meeting, to tell people how trust status has worked for them.

Mr Dixon said he was nervous and added: "It's crunch time. The fans have got a chance now to have a say. We all sit there and think we can do a better job, but maybe we could set a precedent for other teams in British ice hockey."

The Telford Tigers have competed for 24 seasons and finished 9th out of 10 teams in the English Premier League in 2008/2009.