Crisis-hit ice hockey team Telford Tigers could be wound up for good unless the club finds £20,000 by Tuesday, club officials said today.

A race against time is now on to raise the funds needed to stop the team’s 22 semi-professional players being forced to find new clubs.

The news comes after the Tigers were plunged into a cash crisis this week when Cannock-based security firm Eurologix pulled out of a major sponsorship deal at the last minute, casting doubt over the team’s new league campaign.

That has left a hole in club finances, which bosses are hoping can be filled in the next three days by new sponsors or even supporters.

League bosses have set a deadline of Tuesday for entries to this year’s competition but Telford Tigers top brass have said they are unwilling to commit the club to a season it cannot finish.

Officials have issued a desperate rallying call to fans, players and stakeholders to attend a crunch meeting on the team’s future at Telford Ice Rink, tomorrow from 3.30pm.

Compete

Club bosses and fans will attempt to draw up a plan of action to save the team, with potential sponsors being urged to attend the talks.

David Candlin, team manager, said: “We have fully discussed the situation with the league, and we need to be able to tell them on Tuesday whether Telford will be able to compete at EPL level this season, so they can make plans for the rest of the teams if necessary.

“The bottom line is that in order for Tigers to start the season, we desperately need to raise £20,000 by Tuesday and we need to know that there is a core fanbase of more than 300 people – this is the minimum number we need to see through the turnstiles every game to sustain us through the year.

“The coach and I have spent the summer putting together a team which we think will be competitive and exciting to watch, but we will not be able to put that team on the ice unless we find funds to replace some of the sponsorship we had been expecting.”

He added that without fresh funding Telford Tigers would be wound up.

Anyone interested in offering support to the team can contact the club by e-mail at save@telfordtigers.co.uk or via the website www.telfordtigers.co.uk

By Tom Johannsen