DARREN Elliott thanked the Oxford City Stars supporters for making his final match one to remember.

The stalwart, who has spent 27 of his 29 years in the sport with his hometown club, signed off in style with the winning goal as an

Elliott Select team took on the current Stars

side in his testimonial game.

A bumper crowd at Oxpens watched on as the legend took to the ice as a player for the last time, before taking on a new coaching role under the returning Simon Anderson.

“I just want to thank everyone for turning up and making my last game so memorable,” he said.

“Looking ahead to next season there will be bigger and better things for Oxford.

“Simon is back and I will be helping him out on the coaching side and it promises to be a really good season so please keep coming and supporting the team.”

And Elliott also paid tribute to the support he has received over the years from his family.

“Any hockey player knows that the time and effort you put in as a player or coach, it is these people that suffer,” he said.

“You’re away for matches at weekends and training in the week.”

He added: “I am starting a coaching role now, but this is the end of a chapter for me as a player.

“You can never say never, people do return after retiring, but for

me right now, I am done.”