OXFORD City Stars will be keeping it in the family this season after all three Oliver brothers signed on for the new campaign.

Local boys Nick, Joe and Josh all played their part in the club’s championship-winning sides for the past two years.

And now they will be part of the squad stepping up to the challenge of National League Division 1 this season.

At 28, Nick is the most experienced of the trio and has been at the Stars for more than a decade.

He has captained the side for the last two seasons and is delighted the family connection will stay.

He said: “We’ve all worked really hard in the past few seasons to get where we are now, and we’re now going to have to work even harder together to win our games. “It’s such a big a big gap in abilities between the two leagues, so it’s a big challenge.

“My brothers and I all decided to stay at the Stars individually, but we all enjoy the hockey so much – our whole family does including our parents – so it wasn’t a tough decision to stay on for the new season.”

Joe, 24, laid on plenty of assists last season and chipped in with some big goals, including a vital winner against Slough Jets in the penultimate game.

The 21-year-old Josh is the youngest of the three, but his skilful approach means he is already a firm favourite with supporters.

Stars have strengthened this summer with new signings, notably the giant Canadian Kyle Flemington, but are keen to retain the local core which fired them to glory last season.

Darren Elliott, head coach, said: “The re-signing of the Oliver brothers is massive for the team.

“They’re all homegrown Oxford talent who have come up through all the age groups in the system.

“As a whole, we’re really lucky to have them sign for another year and we’re looking forward to seeing what they can bring to NIHL1.”

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