Welcome to the supporters trust area of the Telford Tigers Website.

 The Telford Tigers Society Ltd, t/as Tiger Tracks, was first formed in November 2009 following a deal to see a transfer of team ownership between private owners fall through.

Fans of the team immidiately began investigating how best to take the team forward, and having researched schemes in both football and rugby league, investigations lead to the exciting possibility of becoming the first ever fans owned and operated ice hockey team in the history of the sport.

The working party enlisted the assistance of an organisation called Supporters Direct who help set up trusts in football and rugby. Supporters Direct oversee to date in excess of 160 successfully operating trusts throughout the country, with more fans lead initiatives coming on line each month.

The scheme, both groundbreaking and revolutionary in terms of ice hockey, has to date enjoyed a great deal of success with teams such as Exeter City, AFC Wimbledon & Clydebank in football and Bramley Buffaloes in Rugby League all owned by their fans. 

Locally hockey fans need to look no further than AFC Telford Utd to see a perfect example of a working trust in full operation, supporters of the Bucks using the very same Supporters Direct model to take ownership of their team in 2004.

The initial November 2009 open meeting was extremely well attended, illustrating the passion and support the Telford fans had for their team. Following presentations from the working group, Supporters Direct, ShrewsTRUST (The Shrewsbury Town Supporters Trust), AFC Telford Utd and the Co-Operatives West Midlands Chairman, a unanimous vote was attained and the first stages of Tiger Tracks, the Telford Tigers Supporters Trust, began.

With the continued hard work of Supporters Direct and the Tiger Tracks working party, December 2009 saw the trusts model rules, constitution and IPS appliction form submitted to the Financial Services Authority in order to obtain official registration within the Mutual Societies Register.

On 22nd December 2009 the working party received an early Christmas present with news that the trust model rules and constitution had been official accepted by the FSA, and that the Telford Tigers Society Ltd was given registration number 30871 R, and incorporation under the Industrial and Provident Act 1965.

In April 2010, members of the acting board submitted an application to join the English Premier League, and attended the league finals weekend to make a presentation to the current EPL Chairman and existing team owners. The Telford Tigers Supporters Trust received a unanimous 'Yes' vote to join the league, and team building began.

May 2010 saw the unveiling of the Telford Tigers brand new coach, former GB star and EIHL Championship winner, Tom Watkins. Tom ticked all the boxes for the trust, as not only living in the twon, Watkins had he represented his country at the highest level, had won numerous champsionships with the Coventry Blaze in the Elite Ice Hockey League with his efforts receiving recognition from Telford & Wrekin Borough council, being named one of their 'Sporting Champions' at a star studded awards ceremony in March 2010.

Tam was also an active coach in the Telford Venom junior development programme and so made an ideal choice for the head coaching role.

Tom assembled a squad of young, hungry hard working players coupled with some experienced heads that gave their all in every single game. Despite having by far the smallest playing budget in the league, Tigers took points from every team, including eventual league champions, the Mnachester Phoenix, and emphatically beating league play-off champions, the Guildford Flames, on their home ice in a sudden death overtime thriller.

The efforts of our players and our groundbreaking ownership model was appreciated by fans throughout the country, with the trust proudly boasting opposing team members ranging Belfast to Brighton.

2010 also saw the re-introduction of the trusts brand new schools and community programme, something which had been missing for several years. Throughout the season players from the Telford Tigers attended many schools throughout the borough, addressing schoold children and delivering talks on active lifestyles, fitness and the importance of a healthy and balanced diet. Children were also invited to try on items of players equipment and given free tickets to attend Telford Tigers home games.

Some notable landmarks of the inaugural season saw several players continue their development and gain experience under the giudance of our head coach, earning selection to represent the GB team at junior World Champsionship level. Luke Brittle, Daniel Scott and Jack Watkins were all called up to pull on their countries colours, proudly flying the flag for club and country on one of ice hockey's biggest stages.