OXFORD City Stars have confirmed they intend to move up to National League Division 1 next season, a year after turning down promotion, writes DAVID PRITCHARD.

The ice hockey club have enjoyed a memorable campaign, securing a league and cup double this month.

Stars decided against promotion when winning the Division 2 South crown 12 months ago, player-coach Darren Elliott saying: “I don’t want us to try and run before we can walk.”

The gulf in quality between the divisions is significant, but the club believe the time is now right.

A statement read: “The jump between the second and first divisions is expected to be hugely challenging for both the on-ice squad and the club management.

“However, the club is determined to succeed at the higher level.”

The exact details of the National League structure will not be confirmed until the teams meet early next month.

Moving up a level involves a far larger financial commitment – a factor the club, named team of the year at the 2013 Oxfordshire Sports Award, are busy looking to solve.

Last month, American businessman Thomas Guerriero, president of Oxford City, told the Oxford Mail he would be interested in having discussions with the club.

But the wording of the statement implies the committee are looking closer to home for fresh investment.

“Stars are passionately committed to having a financially secure and Oxfordshire-backed team,” the statement continued.

“With this in mind, we are urgently seeking new commercial partners and investors to help bridge the substantial jump to a higher division.

“The support of local businesses to the Stars will have a huge factor in the competitive nature on the ice.”

  • STARS are holding a presentation evening at St Peter’s College, Oxford on Wednesday, May 28.

Contact james@oxfordcitystars.com if you are interested in attending.