Former heroes welcome sport’s return to town
Gord Jeffrey built the very first Romford Raiders squad when the Romm Valley Way rink was opened in 1987.
The Canadian forward led the team to the Heineken League Division Two title in their debut season and to the brink of promotion to the Premier Division in 1991.
In 303 appearances he scored 708 goals and 523 assists before returning to his native Canada and remained the club’s all-time leading scorer for close to two decades, before being surpassed by Danny Marshall.
He said: “The pictures I’ve seen over the past 18 months, from the first shovel in the ground, to the ice being finished in December, proves that Romford is a hockey town.
“This building is going to see fast, exciting hockey, played the Romford way. It’s also going to become a home for the next generation of future Romford players, both junior and senior.
“When I think back to my time in Romford, the team was always built around hard working, honest, hockey players.
“The fans have been treated to watching great imports, Marc Chartier, Rob Stewert, Andy Heinze and Dave Whistle, playing alongside senior British guys like Erskine Douglas, Tari Suwari, Lenny Cole and Shaun McFadyen, being pushed by up-and-coming junior player, trying to make their mark in the game like, Richard Tomalin, Marcus and Paul Cast, and Ben Pitchley, to name a few over my time as the player coach/GM.
“Going forward into the new barn, the future looks very solid, with the people that are now involved with running the club, and the fact that from juniors right up to the Raiders, it is one club.
“The gold and blue colours of the Raiders will shine just as bright, as their new ice rink does, and I can honestly say that all those years involved with the club, were some of the best years of my life!
“The town, the fans, and the game-day atmosphere, are things that I miss, but I can be proud of the team I started, all those years ago.
“All the best to all of you and thank you for all the years of support! You guys really are the best fans going. Take care, and Go Raiders Go!”
Gord (Herbie) Jeffrey #27
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