Oxford City Stars have high hopes for the coming campaign after being taken over by a group of local business people ahead of the new English National League Division 1 South season.

Elaine Sutcliffe, Russ Fray and John Harrison will provide the club with financial and marketing support.

Fray said: “We’re very excited to be part of Stars’ future.

“We’re confident that with this new structure we have the right resources to make this a successful campaign.”

Stars team manager Gary Dent added: “It’s great to see new backers come in to secure the future of the club whilst maintaining the ethos of the organisation.”

Last season’s coach Ken Forshee has agreed to stay on and thinks the future looks a lot brighter.

“Last season was a wake-up call for us,” he said. “It was quite obvious changes had to be made both on and off the ice.

“I really do believe this is the start of good things in Oxford, this is the most excited I have been about a season in quite some time.”