The chairman of Co-operatives West Midlands has thrown his weight behind attempts to resurrect a Telford Tigers Premier League team for 2010.

Paul Kalinauckas, who is also the Labour Co-operative prospective parliamentary candidate for the Wrekin constituency, is confident that people power can see a renaissance for the ice hockey team.

Mr Kalinauckas met fans Mike Dixon and Andy Phillips to discuss their plans for establishing a supporters’ trust.

Mr Kalinauckas said: “One of my campaign team is a big fan of the Tigers, and has raved about how exciting the sport is, and the great atmosphere at Telford Ice Rink.

“Co-operatives West Midlands is the umbrella body for co-operative enterprises, which includes supporters’ trusts. Our priority is to look for co-operative solutions to the problems of businesses and organisations.

“A supporters’ trust works on the simple model of one member, one vote, handing power to the people in reality. Because members of the trust become the owners of the club, they can help the organisation in a practical way, as stakeholders.”

Mr Kalinauckas is expected to attend the open meeting on Tuesday 3 November (7.30pm) at Telford Ice Rink, when fans will hear more about how a supporters’ trust could operate the team.

The open meeting will include a presentation by a representative of Supporters Direct, the organisation that provides advice and guidance to more than 150 supporters’ trusts, including ShrewsTRUST and AFC Telford United.

As chairman of Co-operatives West Midlands, Paul Kalinauckas states he is committed to promoting mutual organisations with ethical values of honesty, openness and social responsibility. He is also chief executive of a community finance initiative that helps organisations that have been rejected by banks to access financial support.

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