Telford Tigers’ chairman Alan Gould has started planning in earnest for the club to rejoin the English Premier League in September by launching the search for a coach to build a new team.

Tigers have been forced to sit out this year due to lack of a management team but, with the creation of the UK’s first ice hockey supporters’ trust, Tiger Tracks, the club aims to be back in action next season.

Alan Gould said: “The trust committee is currently pulling together the business plan that it will submit to the league in April, to gain their approval for the Tigers to rejoin the league.

“Alongside our financial policy, we need to demonstrate our playing strategy for the year – which will be largely influenced by whoever we select as coach for the Telford Tigers.”

The club has invited interested parties to apply in writing to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it including their hockey CV along with salary and budget expectations.

Gould added: “Because we cannot be sure we are accepted into the league until after the EPL meeting at the play-offs in Coventry, we need to reassure anyone applying that their application will be treated with the strictest confidence and no public announcements about coaching or playing staff will be made until after 11 April.” 

The club is also urgently seeking team sponsors – again with any deals being conditional on the team’s acceptance into the league.

“We have to demonstrate to the league that there is sufficient desire for Premier League hockey in Telford,” said Gould. “That means showing them that trust membership is growing and that the Tigers have the backing of the local business community.

“Anyone who would either like to join the Tiger Tracks trust or requires a sponsor pack, outlining marketing and advertising opportunities with the team, can email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Andy Phillips on 07970 68 918 for more information.”