A top English Premier League side has pledged to aid the planned Telford Tigers fans' trust - and has offered a special ticket deal to travelling ice hockey supporters.

Milton Keynes Lightning general manager Vito Rausa is encouraging Tigers fans to travel to see some of their favourite players in action, with discounted entry to selected MK home games.

What's more, at the end of the year, Lightning plan to make a cheque presentation to the Tigers Trust fund, in recognition of the 'support on loan'.

Mr Rausa said: "There have always been strong ties between Telford and Milton Keynes, with many players icing for both clubs. This year we have two former Telford players - Barry Hollyhead and Adam Brittle - doing a great job for us.

"We are delighted by the effort being put in by the Telford fans to get their club back on the ice, and we are happy to support the plans.

Our offer is a discounted ticket for Tigers fans to come and watch games in Milton Keynes, and we intend to present a cheque to Telford at our final game of the season, which hopefully will go a small way to thank Tigers for their support and to help for the future plans of Telford Tigers.

Mr Rausa added: "But don't worry, just because the fans are 'on loan' to us, they won't have to wear MK shirts, or even cheer for us if they don't want to - but of course we hope they will!"

Telford Tigers fans' trust spokesman Andy Phillips added: "We are very grateful to Milton Keynes for their support as we try to get a Tigers EPL team back on the ice for 2010.

"This gesture from Lightning offers us a way to keep in touch with our friends around the league through the remainder of this season, and we hope to be able to organise a supporters coach to selected matches at Milton Keynes."

For more information about 'Tigers fans on loan' tickets to Milton Keynes Lightning, please e-mail Andy Phillips at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the Telford Tigers website - www.telfordtigers.co.uk - for updated news.

In addition to the Telford two at MK, former Tigers players around the league include ex-coach Claude Dumas at Bracknell Bees with Ashley Calvert; Stuart Brittle in Sheffield; Davey Lawrence and Sam Zajac at Baskingstoke; Jason Cassells at Swindon; Gary Clarke in Guildford; and Peterborough boasting Dwayne Newman, Tom Carlon, James Knight and Joe Miller.

Following a vote in November by fans to initiate a supporters' trust, a working group is currently liaising with Supporters Direct to register with the Financial Services Authority and a 'Launch Party' will be arranged, when the team's followers will be able to sign up for membership and a board can be elected to take Telford Tigers forward.