Telford Tigers celebrate 40 years of ice hockey with a legends night

Telford Tigers have been part of the town's sporting life for four decades, and this year the club marked its 40th anniversary in style. On Saturday 25 April, two specially created sides, Ironbridge Ice and Wrekin Giants, went head to head in a Legends Game at Telford Ice Rink.

The teams were inspired by local heritage. Wrekin Giants drew on the folklore of The Wrekin, while Ironbridge Ice represented the Ironbridge Gorge, widely recognised as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Former players, fan favourites and key figures from 40 years of Tigers hockey returned to the ice, with Jason Silverthorn captaining the Wrekin Giants and Scott McKenzie leading Ironbridge Ice. Fans could also bid for game-worn, retro-inspired jerseys from both teams.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the history of the club and recognise the people who have helped build it into what it is today," said head coach and general manager Tom Watkins before the game. "There are so many great memories associated with Telford Tigers."

The new season brought a new name on the shirt. The team now plays as the AION Telford Tigers after AION Auto became title sponsor. The partner is a familiar one: for many years supporters knew it as Volvo Cars Shrewsbury, which has backed the club through shirt and penalty point sponsorship. AION, one of the UK's newest electric vehicle brands, sits alongside Volvo within the Sailhouse Cars group.

Club chairman Mike Washburn called it "really great news, a new headline sponsor who also has a previous long-term relationship with the club." Sailhouse Cars managing director Chris Carr said the business was "incredibly proud to strengthen our commitment to the club."

The Tigers compete in the Planet Ice NIHL National League. The 2026/27 fixture list opened in September with a trip to Basingstoke Bison, followed by a home opener against Milton Keynes Lightning. The 54-game schedule runs through a 27-week regular season, with playoffs from late March 2027 and the Final 4 weekend at the Planet Ice Coventry Skydome on 17 and 18 April 2027.

For fixtures, tickets and club news, visit telfordtigers.net.