Raiders team building continues

Romford Raiders have confirmed the addition of two more British defenceman to the 2009/10 roster.

Returning to Romford after a year away is 24 year-old Adam Copland, voted 'Defenceman of the Year' by Invicta Dynamos last season. Copland came through the junior development programme at Gillingham before spending two years playing Junior A in Canada. On his return to the UK, Adam was snapped up by erstwhile Elite League Basingstoke Bison and made his Romford debut the following season.

Joining Copland on the Raiders' blue line is former Dynamos' team mate, Ryan Giles. With over 100 senior games under his belt, Giles has spent most of his career at Gillingham but also spent two years in the Romford junior programme before returning to Invicta. After the Dynamos' lengthy play-off programme, Ryan was voted post-season Player of the Year.

"We're really pleased to get both of these guys for the new Raiders' team," said a Romford spokesman. "We know all about Copes. When he first came here, he was arguably our best performing defenceman, import or otherwise. He then picked up a niggling injury which definitely affected his form and his confidence and when Elsy (Elliot Andrews) stood down as Raiders' Coach, I think it affected Adam more than he might admit. A year on, Copes is in great shape as an award winning member of the Dynamos and is really pumped about coming back to Romford."

"Ryan obviously has less experience but has always achieved when thrown in at the deep end. Credit to his former Coach, Kevin Parrish, for trusting Ryan to do a job when others might have been a bit reluctant to risk such a young player. He stood out with maturity beyond his years at Invicta and had an outstanding post season. Ryan played here for the Hornets and the Buccs so he knows RVW well and we think we've signed a British defenceman who is ready now but still has real potential."