OXFORD City Stars get their new campaign under way this weekend – and are on a mission to repeat last year’s success.

The Stars stormed to glory last season, winning the English National League Division 2 South crown and the National Championship

trophy.

And the new squad are raring to as they launch the 2018/19 campaign at home again Slough Jets on Saturday (5.15).

They then play Bristol Pitbulls on Sunday at 6.15pm – also at Oxpens despite it being an away match.

Stars began a new era in the summer with former player Scott Gough taking over the club.

Once the formalities of that were concluded, head coach Kenny Redmond moved quickly to build his squad.

Despite losing Mike Whillock and Theo Bundock, who moved overseas, and Andy Cox retiring, Redmond has constructed a strong set of players.

He has added Slovakian import Michal Oravec and highly-regarded British duo Lee Richardson and Tom Davis.

The core of the double-winning squad has been retained, including Roni Milan, Josh Oliver, Joey Edwards, Darren Elliott, Alex Staples and Dom Hopkins.

Three siblings will also ice for the Stars for the first time since the Oliver brothers all played together,

after Max Florey signed for the club joining Jake and Josh Florey.

Redmond said: “We have strengthened and have got a strong squad.

“We’re really looking forward to getting started now.

“We’ve made some key signings which I’m delighted about.

“Michal is a top player and in my view is the best import in the league. While Lee is vastly experienced and Tom is very physical.

“Adding to that, we have recruited from our junior system which is important to the club.

“We need to develop our own players and will look to give them ice time.”

He added: “As champions, we’ll be the team everyone wants to beat, and we have to be prepared for that.

“But the league will be even tougher this year as a lot of clubs have strengthened.

“Slough, Bracknell, Chelmsford, Peterborough, Guildford, Bristol and Romford will all be challenging to win the league.

“They’ve all signed players from the league above and the competition will be intense. It will be a great challenge for the players and entertaining for the supporters.

“It will be tough to retain our titles, but we’re all focused and the fans can make a massive difference again.

“They were magnificent last season and really got behind us. We’ll need them again to be successful.”