Romford Ice Hockey Academy has announced a new Head Coach of junior development in former Raider and Buccaneer Alan Lack.

Lack is well known in Romford and around the hockey community, with the club pleased to announce him as head coach and looking forward to working with him and putting a coaching structure in place.

Romford has produced many talents going back to Danny Marshall, Richard Tomalin and Ben Pitchley to more recent talent Brad Windebank, Marco Pascale, Tjay Anderson, Brynley Capps and Joe Tomalin, with many others in between.

A productive junior system is seen as vital and appointing a local like Lack is key.

“This opportunity comes at a perfect time not only for myself but for the club," said Lack.

"The club is going through a time of transition and the new ownership group have great plans and ideas. This isn’t just for the senior teams but the junior club as well.

"This opportunity has been discussed for a little while now and once offered under the new ownership I was more than happy to accept.

"The timing for me is just right as I know I only have a year or two left playing until the dreaded word “retirement”.

"I’ve been extremely lucky to play and work alongside some of the best coaches in the country. I have always had a great passion for coaching and passing on the experience and skills I have learnt over the years.

"I’m not a sugarcoating type of person there is a lot of work to do but the great thing is there are a lot of people that are committing to this and bringing it back to life how it was back in Rom Valley Way just with a modern twist.”