DURHAM, UK – Last weekend saw one of the UK’s biggest hockey rivalries return as a Durham Wasps legends side took on a team of Whitley Warriors legends at Hillheads ice rink in Whitley Bay. Durham were able to include the likes of Mario Belanger, Ian Cooper, Malcolm Bell and Tim Cranston on their roster while Whitley named Hilton Ruggles, Jim Earle, Martin King and John Iredale in their squad for the clash.
Former Durham Wasps goalie Frank Killen was the driving force behind the nostalgia weekend which began a meet the player’s night at the Radisson Blu hotel in Durham on Friday evening. Former Newcastle Vipers match night announcer Gary Barr was compere for the night and he asked all of the players in attendance to give their memories of Durham/Whitley games in years past on how they were feeling about the upcoming clash.
A few of the players went on to tell stories of European adventures and Wembley appearances before the night concluded with some video clips from historic games. Many of the players took part in the golf day on the Saturday before the real action of the weekend got under way on Sunday evening.
Temas line up before face off
Almost 2,500 fans crammed into Hillheads to see the game, Wasps started strongly and were soon in the lead as the Warriors defence took a little time to get back up to game speed. Durham were able to claim a relatively comfortable victory as the big blue machine outscored Whitley by 5 goals to 2. Both Cranston and Belanger impressed for the Wasps while Stephen Smith and Jim Earle were the pick of the Warriors players on display.
An auction for the player’s game worn shirts had taken place throughout the two intervals and the successful bidders were presented with their shirts on ice by the relevant player after the game had concluded. Many fans milled around the rink after the final whistle to grab an autograph from their favourite player of years gone by or just catch up with old hockey friends.
The legends game has to go down as a great success and for me it clearly demonstrates that the public in the north east will support ice hockey if it packaged and run in the right manner. An attendance of around 2,500 for a ‘legends game’ which was never going to be played at an electric pace was an amazing show of support from fans of both sides and it is hoped that many of the supporters who made the journey to the Bay last Sunday will take in a game or two of local ENL hockey next term as Billingham Bombers look to retain their League and Play Off crown while Whitley Warriors look to reclaim both trophies after a year without any silverware.
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
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