Experienced goalie joins ranks

Romford Recorder: London Raiders goalie Michael Gray has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury (pic: John Scott)London Raiders goalie Michael Gray has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury (pic: John Scott) (Image: Archant)

London Raiders have announced the signing of experience goalie Chris Douglas for the remainder of the 2014/15 National League season.

Douglas, son of the original Raiders captain Erskine, came up through the junior ranks at Romford and played senior hockey in Cardiff, Peterborough and Hull before making his Raiders debut during the 2000/01 English Premier League season.

He helped Raiders to the play-off crown that term and, after spending the 2002/03 campaign with Essex rivals Chelmsford, returned to Rom Valley Way for another season and finished with a total of 110 appearances between the Raiders pipes to his name, posting an 89.77 save percentage and goals against average of 3.68.

Douglas went on to enjoy four good season with Swindon in the EPL, helping the Wildcats to the play-off finals in Coventry in 2010, and also played for Bracknell before joining the National League Oxford Stars in 2011.

After spells with Bristol and Bracknell, he joined Invicta last season and began the current term with the Dynamos, helping them to beat Raiders at Lee Valley in Oxford.

But the 35-year-old now returns to a Raiders jersey due to the ongoing injury problems being suffered by Michael Gray and a club statement said: “Michael’s knee recovery is being hampered by playing and a proper rest is what is required as part of his reparations.

“We have to thank Michael for sticking with it and he has risked long term issues for the team and appeared in a supporting role even though playing was not possible.

“We have a great tender in James Tanner, but for instances where he is not available an extra pair of safe hands is very welcome indeed.

“Welcome back to the Raiders Chris.”

Raiders currently occupy the eighth and final play-off place but face a free weekend before returning to ice against Streatham in south London on February 8.