Delight for Telford Tigers with Tom Watkins deal

Watkins will now remain at Tigers for the 2013-14 season after re-signing amid rumoured interest from Elite League Coventry Blaze.

The deal gives Tigers a welcome boost going into this weekend's double-header – they host Bracknell Bees on Saturday before visiting Manchester Phoenix a day later.

Watkins said: "I'm delighted to get it done. It's a tough job but I wanted to stay.

"When I took up the job initially, we looked at it as a five-year plan to become more sustainable and competitive year on year. We are three years down the line now, building the club and trying to move forward.

"We've got a good set-up and that is continuing to improve. As a team we have lots of potential and recent results have shown that."

Washburn added: "I accept that much of the work that has been going on by the board has little or no visibility for our fans.

"It's, nevertheless, vitally important to sustain and build the financial foundations of the club to enable us to move forward.

"Tom Watkins has been a full participant in this process and I am absolutely delighted that we have now been able to sign him.

"That's not only for next season but also over this coming summer to ensure that he can continue the great work in building a Tigers team that can not only beat the best, but do it consistently.

"Many will be aware that Tom is a much sought-after asset in the ice hockey world – the great news for us is that we have now secured his services.

"I believe that next season will see a quantum change in our great club – thanks for all the support, without it we don't have a reason to exist."

Last weekend, the Tigers handed out an 8-2 thrashing at home to high-flying Manchester on the Saturday and then beat Peterborough Phantoms 8-4 on the Sunday.

Scott McKenzie scored a hat-trick in both games.

By Gabe Gray