With just a month of regular season ice hockey left, GM Telford Tigers boss David Candlin is already making plans for the 2009-10 season.

“While the team on the ice is still fighting for a place in the play-offs, the management have started to look ahead,” said Candlin ahead of today’s trip to Guildford and tomorrow’s home game with Bracknell (5.30pm).

“This year we have had the most amazing support from local companies, especially our title sponsors GM Heating and Plumbing, and we have started to talk to those organisations about our plans for next season. So far we have had a great response from them.

“There are always rumours flying around at this time of year about player movements.

“But the reality for all teams is that we have to know that deals are in place and budgets set before we can start talking to players.

“Like any club, we have our wish lists of players we want to keep or recruit, but we won’t open negotiations until we are certain that we can honour our commitments.

“That said, all of this season’s players have already indicated they will be talking to us after the season closes, and we have had some approaches from players keen to join us for next year so, from a manager’s point of view, it looks very promising.”

Candlin also has hopes of harnessing some of the positive support the team received from fans this year.

“When we needed people to rally in the summer to help save the team, our supporters really came up trumps for us,” he added.

“That is why our shirt design this year included the phrase ‘Funded by Fans’.

“We have a core of loyal and dedicated volunteers who help keep the team on the ice, year in and year out.

“Next season we aim to encourage more people to get involved, by forming an official supporters’ club that we hope will assist with match-night jobs, fundraising, and organising social events.”

l Anyone interested in sponsorship opportunities for 2009-10, or keen to offer practical support to the team, can email contact@telfordtigers.co.uk