The Oxford City Blades...

represented Oxford in the English Premier League and lost every game.

A number of articles were published in the build up to this season, the first was published on Monday 13th April 1998 and read as follows:

Top ice hockey may be back at Oxford

PLANS for the return of senior ice hockey to Oxford are moving ahead with a new company being formed and player recruitment getting under way. Oxford City Ice Hockey Ltd has been set up after close liaison with the existing club in Oxford that runs the junior teams, and is headed by David Williams, who outlined some of their objectives.
"We have a five-year plan to develop the sport in Oxford and work closely with the junior development programme. We also see the new team as being community friendly and will be looking to establish links with local charities. So far, things are at an early stage of development but we've held talks with the rink and Council who are both keen to see senior hockey return. And this week a player recruitment line was set up on 01635 827990 and an advert placed in a national ice hockey magazine. The intention is to run in the English League. Whether or not that is in the Premier Division depends on the level of sponsorship we achieve and that is one of the key areas we are now working on. The new team name will also be a matter we will discuss with a major sponsor. Despite the loss of the Chill last season, the junior section is still flourishing here at Oxford and we hope to encourage their development and give them a chance to progress to the highest possible level at Oxford."

THe following was published on Saturday 23 May 1998:

City sights on Scott

"THE newly-formed Oxford City Ice Hockey Limited have been busy recruiting new players and former Oxford City Stars captain Scott Gough is first on the list. Gough is keen to resume his playing career after taking a two-year break.The search for a coach is also continuing and the new company have reduced applicants to a shortlist of four. An appointment is expected in the near future.Training will get under way at the start of July and any prospective players can contact the team on their new recruitment number of 0836 682372."

This article was first published on Saturday 15 August 1998:

Oxford ice hockey boosted by double deal

"THERE'S a new face for Oxford ice hockey, thanks to a double sponsorship deal which will see the team compete as City Motors Fox Blades.The biggest sponsorship deal in 14 years of the sport in Oxford was announced when the city's main Vauxhall dealership, City Motors, and Fox FM joined forces to breathe new life into the sport.A spokesman said: "We are very excited about this deal. Both are established and respected names locally and will give us an immediate impact on existing and new supporters and it is thanks to their backing that we can jump straight into the English League Premier Division."Further announcements wil be made during the next few weeks regarding coaching and players, and trials are already under way for new team members.Team members will be resplendent in a new strip, boasting a stunning dark blue and white design.The action gets under way in the English Cup away to Wightlink Raiders on September 5 and is followed by a clash with Swindon Chill, the team that deserted Oxford for Wiltshire last season, on September 13."

The final article was published on Wednesday 27 January 1999:

Angry Blades hit out at deadline switch

"CITY Motors Fox Oxford Blades are up in arms over the English Ice Hockey Association's decision to extend the transfer deadline to January 29.Oxford received an input of capital when new director Sid Cabby joined just before Christmas, and tried to boost the squad before the official deadline of December 31 with only limited success. But it now appears that some teams may have known about the new deadline and lined up new players leaving Blades at a considerable disadvantage. Director Mark Boardman said: "I'm spitting blood over this. We have just five days to find, try out and arrange transfers for new players, while others have been able to sign for 22 days. "It seems that those at the bottom are not being given the same opportunities as those at the top." Meanwhile, Blades have been left shell-shocked after suffering their second heavy defeat in the space of four days - this time a 15-1 thrashing by Solihull Blaze in English League Division 1.Oxford looked demoralised by Thursday's 21-1 defeat at Milton Keynes, and Solihull scored on their first attack through Kelham. Oxford, who had been thumped 20-7 by Solihull a week earlier, weren't helped by losing Canadian Wade Hadath with an elbow injury and with Chartrand and Chabot hitting a brace each, Blades went in 5-0 adrift at the first break. Oxford warmed to their task in the second period and a sharp move saw Saami Saarien square the puck to Adam Greener who forced a good save from Doyle.Chabot and Kelland increased the visitors' lead, before Blades unleashed an all-out assault on the Solihull net only to be thwarted by some desperate defence and bad luck. Another pair from Chartrand made it 9-0 before Russian Alexei Eskine, playing with five stitches in a face wound from the Milton Keynes game, scored with a deft flick. Solihull added a further six markers despite the valiant efforts of netminder Jason Thomas."