SWINDON Wildcats player-coach Aaron Nell says it is a proud time to be at the helm of the club as they mark their 30th anniversary this season.

Nell, whose dad Steve was a former player before taking ownership of the club in 2004, has the Wildcats running through his veins.

However, it was always the dream of the now 27-year-old to reach the pinnacle of the sport across the pond in America.

Having played for the Swindon Cougars and Leopards as a teenager, Nell made the move to America to test himself in one of the top junior hockey leagues, the North American Hockey League, with the Kenai River Brown Bears.

However, that only lasted a season and after 40 appearances and seven points, he returned home to Swindon in 2008.

Nell has also had stints at Elite League clubs Coventry Blaze and Sheffield Steelers but has always had a close affinity with Swindon and is looking forward to a special weekend for all involved.

“We are very lucky to have a club that has been here for 30 years and it is going to be a great celebration of Swindon hockey and our history,” he said.

“My dad has had the team now for 12 years and it has really grown in that time.

“My dad is proud of it and I am proud of where we are right now.

“To have the same ownership for 12 years, it is probably a record for Swindon sport, let alone Swindon ice hockey.

“There are probably not many more longer stints in British ice hockey and we’re a club who are proud of where we are at but we want to keep on pushing.

“I went away to America when I was young and that was the dream but it didn’t work out and coming to Swindon was always going to be an option.

“I went away a few times to play in the Elite League and I wish that had worked out better, of course, but it didn’t and I am happy in Swindon.

“It is where my family is and I have a young family of my own coming up now and I am very happy to be helping the club grow.”