Page 40 - link magazine

40 The Link Magazine • December 2005
Link Centre ice hockey two decades on
PARKING Earlier this year The Link ran a series of articles marking the opening
CENTRAL SWINDON .0" of the Link Centre 20 years ago. David Littlewood looks back on the
arrival of a brand new sport in the town.
Long stay parking Approved Driving Instructor Swindon nPower
Wildcats launched
from only `PAld-PLUI' RECIJ TERED 1I its twentieth season
on 3 September, but
£65.00 per month * Theor Test Tuition the first ever game
y
Contact Bentley Centre 0 * Training Pack Available of ice hockey at
Link Centre took
Tel: 01793-690600
^^^'^^ * Block Booking Discounts place on 20 July
1985, when around
* Refresher Courses 100 people turned
J,
Call Liz on 01793 486112 up to see an exhibi-
tion game between
your partner in business Ask abotr! free lesson Southampton All
Stars.
The following Smooth skating Canadian Kenny Kipp taking on
Calling All Proud CAR MEDIC year on 13 Septem- Cardiff DcDc defenders in 1988 at Link Centre
ber 1986 over 500
Car Owners MOBILE VEHICLE DETAILING people saw the newly formed to Swindon for a weekend at the
Swindon Wildcats lose 15 - 11 at invitation of manager Joe Dunn; I
Have you scuffed your bumpers?
Huge Savings
Have you kerbed your alloys? home to Altrincham Aces in their had a look around and ended up
Have you clipped your mirrors? on body shop prices first competitive match in moving a few weeks later. There
Heineken League Division One. was me, John Burnicle, Richie
• Bumper scuffs • Trim damage
Looking for a high quality The Wildcats enjoyed healthy Howe, Micky Stafford, Ray Harvey
• Scratches • Dash repair
repair service? crowds in this league and had their and Joe. Also I'd like to mention
• Windscreen repairs • Alloy repairs most successful moment in No- Dan Walker-he was my first coach
y
Professional Mobile Repairs Onl damaged areas repaired vember 1991 when they beat here. Memories of that first season
y
for prestige cars. Same da service Milton Keynes Kings in Sheffield were getting beaten every week- I
Money Back Guarantee We come to you after a dramatic penalty shootout think we came third or fourth from
to win the Autumn Trophy. bottom.
Call 07050 266325 For FREE estimate The summer of 1996 was the end
for a free quote Tel: 875468 or of the road for the first Wildcats.
Under the name of the Swindon
www.trimlineswindon.co.uk 07775 954 351
IceLords, the Swindon team joined
the new Premier League. In a sea-
son of remarkable success the team
MOBILE CAR SERVICING IN REPAIRS won the national championship
and the playoffs. But unable to
,t Electronic tuning * Welding * Electrical work
secure enough sponsorship, the
* MoTs arranged (no re-test fee) IceLords were not able to defend
For a reliable local service with over 25 years experience their title in the 1997/8 season.
(No VAT to pay) With no senior ice hockey at
Swindon that year, the neighbour-
CALL GRAHAM ON (01793) 873045 or 07867 556350
ing Oxford Chill team played a
series of games in Swindon due to
the failure of their own ice plant.
In late September 1997, thanks
SWINDON -- to a three year deal, the newly
named Swindon Chill took to Link
Centre ice in the English League
Division One. Wildcats Tini Le9ueyer defending
In the summer of 2000, after a Joe Dunn's goal in the late 1980s
further change of ownership, the "I have good memories over the
team re-emerged as the Swindon years playing with different im-
on show Phoenix. Coach Bryan Larkin's ports. There were lots of them but
team achieved success by winning the best were probably Kenny
THE price is right the 2000/1 Premier League title. Kipp, Cal Land, Tim Lequyer, Gary
The team name changed again Dickie, and Daryl Lipsey obviously.
THE parking is free _ 9
to the Swindon Lynx at the start of The strangest incident was when an
the 2001 /2 season. The departure import called Dick Beaupeel just
y
of Mer Priest at the end of the about got through immigration on
4
2003/4 season saw the return of Friday, played Saturday and Sun-
Parts, former Wildcats' player Daryl day, then went home on the Mon-
Lipsey as the new coach. day. I don't think he'd ever planned
repairs, accessories, ^ ...
A new management re-adopted to be here long term."
back up stock the Wildcats name for the start of Looking forward, Steve said,
Open: Mon to Sat I ;, the 2004/5 season and long time "I'd like to have the team on a firm
9am to 5.30pm ` WF AflE player Ken Forshee took over as footing and in front of full houses
coach at the start of this season. every week. Also to have good
Closed Sundays fl flE
Current Wildcats' general man- junior development; to develop the
ager Steve Nell moved to Swindon kids to move on to play at a higher
in the summer of 1986 to join the level here and at other clubs."
new team. He explained, "I came www.swindonwildcats.com