Confusion surrounds Telford ice hockey team name

A club statement claimed that Telford Tigers had been disbanded so that they could play in the NIHL North League next season.

Tigers, founded in 1985, won the English Premier League last season but a shake-up of the game’s structure has seen the division removed.

As a result, Telford were forced to apply to enter the National League.

But a further statement last night by the newly-formed Telford NIHL insisted the Tigers name may still live on.

The new team will be run by former Tigers chairman and sponsor Mike Washburn and Tom Watkins, who coached the ELP side to the title last season.

The statement read: "There is currently a significant volume of negative social media activity with regards to the name of the Telford NIHL teams.

"We feel that it is only right and proper to clarify the issues surrounding the use of the Tigers name.

"Tom Watkins had agreed that the name rights would be transferred to him completely free of charge. However, this was not actioned before the league meeting on Sunday, as such at that meeting neither Tom and certainly not the NIHL team had any rights whatsoever to use any of the Tigers names, logos or images.

"Accordingly, at the meeting we explained that we could not use the name and therefore requested that initially we were admitted simply as Telford NIHL 1 and 2 until the naming was sorted.

"That is why our press release went out in the name of Telford NIHL only.

"We would stress that at no point did any other team or LMC North member make any comments whatsoever about the Tigers name and it certainly was not an issue for our team submission. Indeed, the meeting was hugely supportive of our attempts to move Ice Hockey forward in Telford with our proposed model.

"We recognise the bad feeling that this is creating not only for our own fans but other clubs as well – our only objective is to secure Ice Hockey in Telford for the future.

"We will be holding a fans forum at the Rink bar at 7.00 pm till 9.00 pm this Wednesday evening where hopefully we will be able to share any further issues that fans may have."

The consortium which saved the club midway through last season stepped down on Sunday night. It’s understood former Tigers owner Wayne Scholes holds the copyright to the Tigers brand.

The earlier statement read: “The Telford Tigers have been forced to disband after being prevented from competing in next season’s NIHL.

“The English Premier League (EPL) champions have enjoyed an unprecedented run in recent seasons, winning two titles in three years.

“But following the closure of the EPL, the Tigers have now been denied a future by those, within the sport, who took umbrage at the ambition and adventure shown by our club.

“Over the weekend, it became clear that owners of rival teams and league administrators were refusing to allow the Tigers name to be used in next season’s NIHL, as the consortium of owners in Telford had wanted.

“Despite the owner of the Tigers name, logo and brand signing the rights across for free on Saturday, it was not enough for this motivated minority of hockey administrators, who have consigned the Tigers to history.

“In recent years, Tigers have overthrown the status quo, rewritten the rule book, raised standards across the sport and brought a never-before-seen level of professionalism both on and off the ice.

“But while this new wave of success has brought joy to the club’s loyal fans, it has also promoted jealously and envy elsewhere. Ultimately, those who wanted to see the threat of the Tigers disappear, have won out.

“Tigers may have prevented from entering the NIHL, but the investment the club has made in its youth set-up will be reflected in the new league format and the club would like to wish Telford NIHL well as it carries the sport in Telford on its shoulders going forward.”