OXFORD City Stars will name one of the ends at Oxford Ice Rink in recognition of one family’s contribution to the club’s history.

From this season there will be an ‘Elliott End’, in honour of Norman Elliott and his son Darren.

The former maintained the ice as an employee at the rink and was a big Stars supporter up to his death in 2011.

His wife Lorraine still attends matches with daughter Tracey, while son Phil is one of the club’s photographers.

Darren also caught the ice hockey bug and has made more than 400 appearances, scoring 250 goals, across 20 years.

The 35-year-old, who has also coached the side, has signed to play on in National League Division 1 South this season and was gobsmacked by the decision to create an Elliott End.

He said: “What an amazing gesture by both the rink and the club.

“This is an amazing mark of respect to me by the club and an absolute honour to share the same area and achievement with the man who started me here, my dad.”

Stars had already held a vote to find fans’ all-time favourite player to have a stand named after them.

Winner Scott Gough was quick to join the clamour from supporters suggesting the Elliotts should be recognised – something the club were already planning.

James Schall, one of the club’s directors, said: “We always wanted to name one end the Elliott End and we were going to save that as our last announcement.

“When Scott Gough, who won the first vote to name a Stand after him, requested publicly for the stand to be renamed the Elliott Stand, we couldn’t stand by to keep it a secret any longer.”