Joe Cook, 20, the leading rider in the Oxford Academy Conference League squad last year, has surprisingly announced his retirement.

He is disillusioned after his proposed move to Stoke went wrong, but I wouldn't bet against him turning out in the Academy later on.

Skipper Ricky Scarboro is still recovering from his broken leg, but expects to be in action before the season is out.

Silver Machine asset Jason Crump's permanent transfer to Belle Vue looks set to be completed soon.

Oxford have revealed that an agreement has been reached between the two clubs to finalise the move.

Admission at Oxford this year will be £13, unchanged from last year, concessions £8 (under 16s and OAPs), programme £2. FIXTURES MARCH

25 Coventry v Oxford (Ch)

26 Arena Essex v Oxford (KO Cup 1st leg)

29 Wolves v Oxford (ELA)

APRIL

2 Oxford v Wolves (ELA)

5 Oxford v Ipswich (ELA)

7 Arena Essex v Oxford (KO Cup 2nd leg)

8 Swindon v Oxford (ELA)

9 Oxford v Swindon (ELA)

15 Coventry v Oxford (ELA)

16 Oxford v Poole (ELA)

23 Oxford v Belle Vue (ELA)

MAY

5 Poole v Oxford (ELA) 7

Oxford v Arena Essex (ELA)

20 Swindon v Oxford (ELB)

21 Oxford v Eastbourne (ELA)

24 Oxford v Peterborough (ELA)

27 Coventry v Oxford (ELB)

JUNE

2 Peterborough v Oxford (ELA)

3 Ipswich v Oxford (ELA)

4 Oxford v Coventry (ELA)

5 Eastbourne v Oxford (ELA)

7 Belle Vue v Oxford (ELA)

9 Arena Essex v Oxford (ELB)

18 Oxford v Wolves (ELB)

21 Wolves v Oxford (ELB)

23 Poole v Oxford (ELB)

JULY

2 Oxford v Poole (ELB)

7 Peterborough v Oxford (ELB)

9 GB Championship (Oxf Stadium)

15 Ipswich v Oxford (ELB)

21 Arena Essex v Oxford (ELB)

23 Oxford v Swindon (ELB)

30 Oxford v Peterborough (ELB)

AUGUST

11 Belle Vue v Oxford (ELB)

13 Oxford v Arena Essex (ELB)

16 Oxford v Coventry (ELB)

27 Oxford v Eastbourne (ELB)

28 Eastbourne v Oxford (ELB)

30 Oxford v Belle Vue (ELB)

September: TBA

October: 15 Todd Wiltshire Testimonial

Key: ELA = Elite League, ELB = Elite League, KO Cup = Knockout Cup, Ch = Challenge.