BLACKBURN Hawks are sporting new 'plumage' and raising a glass to the continued generosity of a local brewery.

For neighbours Daniel Thwaites have renewed their sponsorship for the coming ice hockey season and the skaters are sporting a new white strip with a re-vamped Hawks logo.

To celebrate several years of successful partnership, Hawks manager Peter Sheffield and player-coach Bobby Haig presented the brewery with a replica 2003-2004 shirt.

With the start of the new English League just days away, player-coach Bobby Haig can't wait to get into action again.

The experienced Scottish maestro, now 38 years old, explained: "We have lost some players, such as Gordon Whyte and Jamie Thompson through other commitments, but I am really excited about the juniors coming through.

"Our Junior development system is set to reap dividends. We blooded a few last season and now they are ready to make an impact at senior level.

"The likes of Adam Leaver, Adam Fuller, Peter Tapp, Matt Southall, Ricky Hulme, Chris Kelly and others will all get a chance to shine. In fact, I'm hoping to play more of a coaching role this season and not be involved on the playing side as much."

The Hawks also have a new skipper for the coming season, with Neal Haworth taking over the role.

"It's an exciting time for all of us," says Haig.

"We finished strongly, but narrowly missed out on the play-offs last year. The pre-season training has gone really well and we are determined to do well."

The Hawks' English National Hockey League campaign for 2003-2004 gets underway at Bradford next Saturday, September 6, face-off 5 pm, with a home game against Grimsby on Sunday (6pm).