Ice hockey legends who have not skated in years are taking on the Swindon Wildcats team, to mark 40 years of ice hockey in the town.
The Wildcats, Wiltshire’s only ice hockey team, was founded in 1986 by five players from the North East shortly after the opening of the town’s Link Centre.
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To mark the club’s 40th anniversary, a team of former players are lacing up their skates again to face the current 2026/27 roster in a “one-of-a-kind” match on Saturday.
Steve Nell, managing director, said: “When I asked [the legends], everybody was: ‘yes’. Now some of them are out there and it’s a little bit tougher – [they’re] stiff and haven’t skated for a long time but everybody will be fine on the day.”
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The Wildcats play in the National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) and are the current reigning champions.
Nell said he was playing ice hockey in Sunderland when he and four others “got the opportunity” to move to Swindon in the 1980s and set up the team.
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“There’s not many clubs in the UK that have done 40 years,” he said.
“The [players] have been a big part of the club over the years and there’s still some people watching from the first year.
“It’s such a big anniversary. I just think it’s important to celebrate.”
Daryl Lipsey says he hopes the fans “aren’t expecting” him to be as good as he used to be [BBC]
Daryl Lipsey, who was also one of the original founding players, said it had been years since he pulled on the kit but it was “nice to come back”.
“The last time I played on the ice was 10 years ago, when we did the last legends game,” he said.
“So it’s been a long time.”
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For the anniversary match, he will not only be taking to the ice for the first time in a decade but going head-to-head with his two sons, who are on the Wildcats team.
“I just hope the fans aren’t expecting me to be as good as I used to be,” he said.
“But I’m looking forward to it. It will be fun.”
Richard Howe said he will “mainly be focussed” on staying on his feet [BBC]
Richard Howe, who played for the side in the 1980s and early 1990s, said it was going to “feel great” stepping out on to the ice in front of a packed Link Centre but he will “mainly be focussed” on staying on his feet.
“The first [training session] was pretty shaky – the second one was definitely better but I should be alright on Saturday,” he said.
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“I’m looking forward to getting back out in front of the crowd again.
“The hockey is probably of a higher standard but the crowd, the building, the changing room – it’s all the same.”
The Swindon Wildcats were founded in 1986 in the town’s Link Centre [BBC]
Lee Brathwaite, who started playing for the Wildcats in 1993 when he was just 14-years-old, said the club had experienced “some lean years” during its history.
“Certainly when I was playing we didn’t have a huge amount of success,” he said.
“But a club that stays around for 40 years is a pretty special thing.”
Despite having been on the ice only twice since 2009, he said he is “absolutely buzzing and excited”.
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“My expectations for myself are quite low,” he said.
“If I can get through without any major wipe outs, injuring myself or anybody else I’ll be pretty happy.”
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