AGAINST THE backdrop of a difficult week for British ice hockey, Swindon Wildcats are looking to capitalise on their strong financial footing.

Having had affiliations with the likes of Swindon-based Npower in the past, the Cats are on the prowl for a new title sponsor to team up with ahead of next season.

Despite fellow English Premier League side Manchester Phoenix folding this week as a result of financial difficulties, Cats owner Steve Nell says his club are in their best position to date and hopes to build on that with this sponsorship deal.

“We are stable and secure, and we want to push that on,” he said.

“It’s unfortunate for Manchester, especially getting through the worst financial period globally in our history, but the economy is coming back now and things are looking better for everybody.

“Swindon are in the best position, financially, we have been in since we started. We just want to consolidate that and be sustainable.

“It is block by block and we will keep doing it that way, and building it as strong as we can for the future – we’ve been here for 30 years and we want to be here for another 30 years.”

Wildcats are offering a package that will see the sponsor company branded on all team clothing and equipment, as well as being included in areas of the club’s media coverage, promotional activities and game nights.

With the Wildcats already having the support of more than 50 local businesses, Nell says it is the next logical step to branch out further into the community and wants to develop a long-lasting relationship.

“We’re just getting ourselves in a place, commercially, where we are in a better place off the ice,” he added.

“Npower were our last title sponsor and that was quite a few years ago and I think we are in a better position at the moment in the community, and we’re a more attractive proposition now than we were a few years back.

“We want to partner with somebody who we can give value back to and use the community programme. It’s all part of our proposition.

“We want to bring somebody in who is involved with the community as well.

“(Marketing manager) Sally Price has done a great job with the sponsors and we have built up a strong bond with them over the last few years.”