SWINDON Wildcats player Lee Richardson has thanked supporters and team-mates past and present after being left overwhelmed by the response to his testimonial on Saturday night.

Richardson celebrated 10 years at the club with a special match involving famous faces from the Cats’ past and present taking to the ice, with fans of the team turning out in their droves to cheer them on at the Link Centre.

“It was crazy. We really didn’t know what to expect going into it when we set it up around Christmas time but the response we have got from everyone has been incredible. It really was a great night,” said Richardson.

“I started playing for the junior teams in Swindon when I was seven years old. It is a long, long time and it’s a little disappointing that I have never won a trophy in that time here but I feel proud to have been at a club that’s grown so much in an ever-changing league.

The 34-year-old first played for Swindon back in the 2000-01 season and has been a permanent fixture on the roster since 2007.

He added: “I can’t remember what actually happened in the game on Saturday, all I know was that there were a lot of goals. It wasn’t really about the score, though, and I hope everyone that came took something away from it.

“What was special was having all the old players there. People work all through the week and to have them give up time on their weekends meant so much. I said to them that although it was my name on the game, it was about all of us.

“I am really grateful to everyone who came out and supported the event.”