Ice hockey in Romford: teams to watch
Romford has had senior ice hockey since 1987. Today the Romford Raiders play in the national league at Sapphire Ice & Leisure, with the Romford Buccaneers and junior teams beneath them. Here is who to watch and how to get involved.
Romford Raiders
The Raiders are Romford's senior team, in gold, blue and white, followed by a loyal "Gold and Blue Army". Founded in 1987 for the opening of Romford Ice Arena, they have been English Premier League champions, spent five seasons in exile at Lee Valley as the London Raiders, came home to the Sapphire in 2018 and took back the Romford Raiders name in 2024.
They play in the NIHL National League (sponsored by Planet Ice at the time of writing), the second tier of British ice hockey below the Elite League. Opponents include clubs such as the Bristol Pitbulls, Sheffield Steeldogs and Solway Sharks. Home games are usually on Sunday afternoons and evenings through the season, which runs from September into the spring play-offs.
Their full story is on Romford Raiders history.
Romford Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are the Raiders' affiliate team, also based at the Sapphire. They play a level below in the NIHL's regional divisions and give local and developing players regular senior hockey. Games are usually cheaper and quieter than Raiders nights, and a good first taste of the sport.
Romford Fury
The Romford Fury were the Raiders' development side at the old Romford Ice Arena, taking over from the Romford Spitfires in the 2009/10 season and playing in the lower divisions of the English National League. Like the Raiders they lost their home ice when the arena closed in 2013. Development hockey in Romford is now organised through the Buccaneers and the Raiders' academy at the Sapphire.
Junior hockey
Children usually start with learn-to-skate classes and then a hockey taster or academy programme, moving into age-group teams (under-10s, under-12s and so on) that play other clubs across the south-east. Ask at the rink or via the club's website about the current junior pathway. See skating lessons for the first step.
Other teams within reach
- Chelmsford Chieftains at the Riverside rink, Chelmsford, playing there since 1987.
- Streatham at Streatham Ice & Leisure Centre, a club with roots in the 1930s.
- Lee Valley Ice Centre in Leyton runs hockey and figure skating programmes on its two rinks, and was the Raiders' home from 2013 to 2018; see our guide.
- For top-flight Elite League hockey you will need to travel further, for example to Nottingham, Coventry or Cardiff.
Going to your first game
Never been? Our first-timer's guide covers the rules, how long it takes and what to wear in the stands.