A ROLLER hockey club that enjoyed national success in the 1990s is inspiring a new generation of children to take up the sport.

David Giblin and Stephen Robinson were just schoolboys when they joined the Spectrum Roller Hockey Club in Willington, County Durham, in 1986.

In an era when roller skating was at the height of its popularity, the teammates fell in love with the thrills and spills of this fast-paced sport. Their team went on to triumph at the National Schoolboy Championships in the early 1990s but in the years that followed interest in the sport dwindled and the club finally folded ten years ago.

But Mr Giblin and Mr Robinson never forgot the fun times they had and when an opportunity came to resurrect the club two years ago they seized it.

As well as setting up an under-11s and under-13s team, the pair invited some of their former teammates to join them and some new additions on a veterans’ side. The newly formed Spectrum Spartans now train together at the Spectrum Leisure and Community Centre in Willington on Wednesday nights.

The club is the only traditional roller hockey club based in County Durham.

However, as much as the older players are enjoying competing together again, seeing the younger players excel has been the most rewarding.

Earlier this month, both youth teams qualified for the Northern Counties Roller Hockey Association Cup Finals in Middlesbrough.

At the end of the contest, the under-11s finished fourth in the league, while the under-13s came in third. One of the players, Joel Lawler, was so committed to the club he travelled all the way back from France for the competition. His family had recently moved there but he was determined not to let the side down.

Mr Giblin, from Crook, said: “It’s great to be able to offer kids what we had 30 years ago. My two children play for the club and they love it.

“It’s just a fantastic sport. It’s good fun and it keeps you fit too.”

The Spectrum Spartans youth teams train at the leisure centre on Saturday from 11.30am to 12.30pm. Each session costs £2 and new players are always welcome to come along and give it a try. To find out more, contact Carole Ridley, club secretary on 07713-943111.