They were once one of the most successful sports clubs in the region, packed with international stars.

There was also a time when they had so many followers that more than 1,000 fans were locked out of the sell-out stadium.

But now the future of the Solihull Barons ice hockey team is far from certain with the club battling to find the financial backing it needs to take part in the forthcoming English National League season.

The new campaign starts in September with the Barons due to play in the Northern Division One competition after securing promotion last season.

But all their success on the ice has not made any difference to life off it with the club’s fate looking precarious unless a major sponsor can be found.

The Barons’ previous sponsorship deal with car manufacturer Renault ended when the board stepped down last season and despite the best efforts of a new committee, no replacement has been found.

Committee member Rachel Moynes said: “We only need around £4,000 to sponsor the team and provide them with new kit.

“We have young blood coming through and still have the fans but we need a local firm to come in and secure the future of a great sport which is still giving thousands of people a great deal of pleasure.”

In their heyday back in the 1980s, the Barons, then run by Midland sports presenter Gary Newbon, progressed all the way to the semi-finals of the National Cup.

Newbon recalls: “In the semi-finals we played Durham and it was a real David and Goliath match but we came back from their place with a 3-3 draw.

“Sadly we capitulated 14-6 in the return leg but the game drew so much publicity we had to lock the doors at Solihull Ice Rink and more than 1,000 were stuck outside.

“It is sad to hear of the club’s demise. I hope the team and the fans get the support they deserve.”

The current 22-man squad, led by skipper Adam Andrews, return to pre-season training next week and he admitted it was difficult to focus with the club’s future unclear.

“We now pay, as players, to play and as a committee we cover the hire of the rink but it would be great to know we have the season secure with sponsorship,” he said.

“It would be great now to take the club onwards and upwards and hopefully somewhere near to the great heights it once was.”

Anyone wanting to help the Barons or find out more about the range of sponsorship opportunities available should contact solihullbarons@gmail.com