THE Gillingham-based Invicta Dynamos ice hockey team have just a couple of weeks to find new sponsors or will be forced to drop a league and lose their star players.

Kelly Cartons’ two-year deal has ended and they have informed the Dynamos they were regrettably no longer in a financial position to continue sponsorship.

The club has been unsuccessfully been searching for new sponsors for six months but a replacement has to be found soon if the team are to continue playing in the English National Premier League.

The team management said: “It costs around £125,000 a season to run a team in the ENPL, so we cannot afford to lose any sponsorship money.

“We don’t mind if one main sponsor or 10 small ones come forward, but if this is not resolved it means we will have to play in ED1 next season.”

Rumours of trouble at the Gillingham Ice Bowl first appeared on rivals Romford Raiders’ official website. It even went as far as saying Dynamos were on the verge of folding, although club directors state that this will not happen.

Director Jackie Mason said: “We could either stay in the ENPL and bring more youngsters through, but without our experienced players we would lose every week.

“The reason I say that is we’ve already seen how strong teams are that come down from the British National League - like new champions Milton Keynes Lightning and Peterborough Phantoms - and it looks like two more former BNL sides could be joining the ENPL this season.

“I don’t think our fans would be happy seeing us struggle and would rather we re-grouped and competed well at ED1 level.

“There our young players would be able to develop at the right rate.”

Dynamos admit they do expect to lose some big-name players if they go down but there is still a future for the club.

Mason added: “The good news is that club captain Phil Chard has confirmed he will stay and continue in his junior coaching role, plus one import forward has hinted he doesn’t mind where he plays his hockey.

“We need to give supporters the best we can and have always said we will not compete in a league where we cannot give value for money or where we cannot finish the season.

“We hope to enter the team in the ENPL cup and have been promised several challenge games against former ENPL teams.

“Then, if necessary, we will consolidate our position in ED1 and look at our options again next season. Whatever happens we hope fans will get behind us and see that ice hockey continues in Gillingham.”

If any company or individual can provide sponsorship, contact Jackie Mason on 07710 742427.