Oxford City Stars have bolstered their forward line by re-signing goalscorer Matt Lawday.

The 29-year-old put pen to paper to commit to his fourth campaign at Oxpens.

The forward has scored 53 goals in three seasons for Stars and is looking forward to continuing that form when the sport returns.

He said: “This was an easy decision for me.

“I’m really happy to be wearing the yellow and blue of Oxford again this season.

“Oxford have a great group of players in the room and the best fanbase in the league.

“Hopefully it’s not too long until we’re back on the ice.”

Lawday is one of several Stars players to stay on as head coach Dean Birrell builds his squad for 2020/21.

The attacking player is the sixth man to sign a new deal, after Ross Miller, Josh Florey, Dax Hedges, Mike Whillock and Adz Andrews.

Stars have also signed highly-rated 19-year-old Jay Warren, who arrived last month on a season-long loan from Swindon Wildcats 2.

In the meantime, Jake Florey and Alex Staples have moved on.

The extended break since the season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic in March has given Birrell time to plot his plan of attack for his first season in charge.

And the Stars boss hopes Lawday can be one of his stand-out performers in English National Ice Hockey League Division 1 South.

Birrell said: “Matt has put up consistent numbers at Oxford and I’m looking forward to working with him.

“He is a well-regarded member of the squad and he had no hesitation in committing to the club.

“I’ll be challenging him to make this is biggest season yet at Oxford.”