Tom Watkins’ supporter-owned side has struggled to make its mark on the English Premier League and failed to qualify for the league play-offs for five consecutive seasons.  During the 2010-11 season, Lightning completed a clean sweep of victories over the Tigers, both at home and away – but Carr insists that the Shropshire side’s ability shouldn’t be underestimated.

“You only have to look at the result in Guildford a couple of weeks ago when Telford went there and came away 4-1 winners to know that Telford are no mugs. Tom Watkins has done a great job up there and has brought in a good mix of young players who are keen to impress, and players who have played in the league for a while who have experience.  They are a good skating team who will work hard, so we know we have to be ready to outwork them - which is our main team objective against every team we play.

Every game will be tough this year with the standard of every team improving.  But like every game we play, I’m confident if we play our game the way we want and we’re at our best, we’ll get the two points".

Last season’s top scorer ScottMcKenzie remains with the Tigers, as do Joe Henry, Josh Bruce and Luke Brittle, with Marek Hornak returning from a brief sabattical.   Daniel Mackriel, responsible for 31 points last season, has retired, Jack Watkins has gone to the Elite League and Ashley Calvert to hometown team Sheffield Steeldogs, swapping places with former Lightning man Adam Radmall.  Canadian netminder Greg Blais arrives to bolster the team’s experience between the pipes and act as assistant coach, Elite league experience comes in the form of right-winger Dean Holland from Newcastle Vipers, and Slovakian defenceman Juraj Senko has arrived from ENL Solway Sharks where last season he scored 13 goals in 21 games.

Lightning face-off against Telford on Saturday 8 October at 7pm at Planet Ice.