New season, new coach, new players, new owners - it's all change for the Telford Tigers as, ironically, the club embarks on its 25th anniversary year.

The Tigers will make history this weekend when they take to the ice as the UK's first team run by its own supporters - and player-coach Tom Watkins is as eager as the fans to see how his all-new squad comes together.

Tigers take a trip to Swindon on Saturday before welcoming the Wildcats to Telford on Sunday (5.30pm) for the return challenge fixture.

"I have been really pleased with the signings I've been able to make and how practice has gone this week," said Watkins. "But it's these back-to-back games that will give us a better idea of where we are in terms of competing in the English Premier League.

"Swindon have experienced imports and retained some key Brits, although I think Aaron Nell going to Coventry will be a big loss for them."

GB international Watkins signed up for Tigers in April to create a new team from scratch, after the previous owners stepped down 18 months ago. The club relaunched as a supporters' trust, following the model used at AFC Telford Utd, and is the only ice hockey team in the UK owned by its fans in this way. Currently more than 160 people have signed up as trust members.

And there is even more reason to celebrate the return of the team, as hockey was first played at Telford Ice Rink in 1985. The new team strip includes an anniversary logo and there are plans to hold events throughout the season to commemorate a quarter of a century of the sport in Shropshire. 

Watkins continues: "I've been very happy with the way our early practice sessions have gone. We have been skating well, the young players are helping to keep the tempo up and our intensity has been good.

"I think we've got a good balance of youth and freshness mixed with experience to mould those younger guys. We've got a good atmosphere in the dressing room.

"This weekend will see our 20-odd players come together for the first time and, although these are only friendly games, they are our opening yardstick. The following weekend, when we go into league games, will be the real test."

Training camp opened last weekend with the arrival of the new players, including Canadian ex-NHLer Chris Allen and Latvian Andrejs Maslovskis.

Watkins said: "Andrejs is mixing well, sharing a house with three other players and adapting to life over here already. His English is very good and he is already showing real heart on the ice.

"Chris just makes us a better team. He brings experience in all situations and will run our powerplay. I expect Dan Scott and our other younger D-men to learn so much from him this year."