WIDNES Wild face the biggest date in their short history when they tackle one of the oldest clubs in the promotion/relegation play offs on Saturday and Sunday.

Wild, who are only in their second season, will meet the Whitley Warriors, who have been one of the hotbeds of British hockey talent for more than 50 years.

Although the Warriors are not the national force they once were they provide the young Wild team with a major challenge as they aim for a place in the upper tier of the National Ice Hockey League.

It is a two-legged match with a massive crowd anticipated at Widnes for Saturday’s home leg.

The return match is in the north east on Sunday at Hillheads.

Wild head coach Mark Gillingham is one of the few members of the Widnes club to have played senior hockey in the intimidating atmosphere of Hillheads.

In 2007-8 he was a member of the Lancashire Raptors squad which faced the Warriors.

In recent weeks he has found time to watch Wild’s illustrious opponents in action during a visit to the north west.

Widnes expect to have their two Slovakian stars Filip Supa and Pavel Vales available.

Supa currently tops the Laidler Conference goalscorers’ list.

Wild have run up a series of late season victories to take the sought-after fourth place in the table and the two-leg promotion play off.

The doors will open at 4.30pm on Saturday for the home leg, with the big game facing off at 5.30pm.

There will be a live DJ, video screen and on ice entertainment before the start and catering outlets will be open throughout.

A spokesman for Widnes Wild said: “We advise spectators to arrive as early as possible for this, the biggest game in the club’s short history.”