Fans fighting to save cash-strapped ice hockey team Telford Tigers from folding have raised more than half the funds needed within 24 hours.

The county’s premier ice hockey team was hit by a massive cash shortfall when its sponsor, Cannock-based firm Eurologix, pulled the plug just weeks before the start of the new Premier League season.

It plunged the Tigers into crisis, with team manager David Candlin admitting the club could be wound-up unless £20,000 was found by tomorrow.

But following an appeal for help, Telford Tigers bosses have been bombarded with donations.

An emergency meeting was held at Telford Ice Rink yesterday, when Mr Candlin and coach Claude Dumas announced that donations and pledges had so far raised more than £10,000.

Three companies, Elite Maintenance Shropshire Ltd, Worcester Couriers, and Stream Foods – have contacted Tigers to become sponsors. The club is now asking other businesses to do the same.

Mr Dumas said: “We have to be realistic that there is still a big challenge ahead, but we can’t help but also be optimistic, given the amazing support we have received so far.

“The messages and donations we have received in the past couple of days have demonstrated that people really care about the future of Telford Tigers. But there is still a lot to do.

“Whether it is people donating as little as £5 or £10 through the Telford Tigers website, www.telfordtigers.co.uk or companies who can offer £1,000 or £2,000 in return for advertising in the match programme, it all helps.”