Oxford Enter English National League as Oxford City Blades

First published on Friday 27 August 1999:

Blades look sharp for new campaign.

WITH just two weeks to the start of the new ice hockey season, City Motors Fox Oxford Blades are gearing up with some promising signings. In a bid to wipe away the memory of last season's winless campaign, Blades have spread their net far and wide to bring in some exciting signings for the new English League Premier Division season, which sees them open at home to derby rivals Swindon Chill on Sunday, September 5.Canadian defenceman Mike Dumka is the new player-coach. He has a wealth of experience in his homeland, and with Medway in the UK. He also spent last season in Belgium. The German League has yielded three key signings, netminder Martin Fellhauer and forwards Michael Stegmann and David Stevens, the first two natives of Germany, while Stevens was born in Britain and grew up in Canada where he learnt his hockey. Some familiar faces will be returning from last season - James Clarke, Trevor Joseph and Dan Cabby - and Oxford have upset their Swindon rivals by stealing British stars Ryan Aldridge, Wayne Fiddes, Grant Bailey and Mark Copping. Blades will be revealing more of their new signings at the weekend and director Sid Cabby can't wait for the action to get under way. "We know mistakes were made last season, but we have learnt from them and have carefully chosen our new players, going for more size and aggression and proven scoring ability. "We have a good mix this time, combining experience with youth and we will be encouraging more of our outstanding junior prospects to move up to the senior grade. "All I would ask is that people give us a chance, we want to repay all our loyal fans who stuck with us last year and attract even more spectators to this exciting sport. "This season, the Premier Division consists of seven teams playing a three home, three away schedule, and the Millennium Cup involving three teams from outside the division. The division comprises of City Motors Fox Blades, Swindon Chill, Cardiff Rage, Invicta Dynamos, Romford Raiders, Wightlink Raiders and Chelmsford.

First published on Wednesday 08 September 1999:

Blades too hot for Chill in thriller.

CITY Motors Fox Oxford Blades made the best possible start to their home English Ice Hockey League Premier Division campaign by defeating deadly rivals Swindon Chill 7-6.Blades began their league programme with a 6-2 loss at Chelmsford Chieftains on Saturday with coach Mike Dumka and Gareth Endicott netting as the new-look side took time to gel. But against Swindon on Sunday it all clicked with a performance of class and character. Swindon took the lead through Peter Nilsson after just 17 seconds, but Blades warmed to their task and the visitors' netminder Thompson had to be at his best to block David Stevens. But then Thompson blundered by racing out of his crease only to see Chad Brandimore slide the puck past him. Swindon tried to rough the game up, and with penalties abounding, Forshee grabbed a powerplay marker at the end of the first period. An early second-period surge saw Swindon go ahead with goals from Reynolds and Nilsson. But Rob Johnston reduced the arrears for Oxford before the impressive Brandimore completed his hat-trick to level the scores. Blades were caught cold on the break by Nilsson and a solo raid by Armour gave the visitors a two-goal cushion at the close of the second period. Oxford came out fired up for the third period, and good work from Brandimore set up Stevens for a fifth goal. Robin Davison followed up with an equaliser against his old team. And Gareth Endicott, another of Oxford recruits from Swindon, had the pleasure of hitting the winning strike when he latched on to Stegman's pass. Supporters can travel to next Saturday's game at Cardiff Rage on the team coach. Bookings should be made with Janet Clarke on 01865 882922.

First published on Tuesday 28 September 1999:

Winning start for new Blades coach

CITY Motors Fox Blades gave new coach Richie Howe the best possible welcome in the English Ice Hockey League Division 1 with a 5-3 home win over Romford Raiders on Saturday, but had to give second best to Invicta Dynamos, losing 7-4 away on Sunday. Blades started strongly against Raiders and a quick break saw David Stevens finish off good work from Fiddes and Davison to open an early lead. Oxford looked more confident and sharper than in recent games and Endicott and Brandimore both went close, with netminder Mathew Van Der Velden on top form to repel Raiders when they threatened. The visitors did find a way through late in the period as Smith fired the puck under the Oxford netminder. Oxford were distracted by some confusion over who should return from the penalty box and Romford grabbed their chance with a Timo Kauhanen strike to take the lead. This was a testing time for Blades and they responded magnificently, with Stevens setting up Brandimore to restore parity. Robin Davison added a fine solo goal and an incisive raid by Stevens and Carson Lewis saw the latter hit a well-deserved goa. Blades increased their advantage through Davison, and although Raiders managed a third via Komulainen, there was no way back and Blades celebrated a deserved victory. At Invicta, Blades went into the final period on equal terms at 3-3, but the home team pulled away to deny Oxford a perfect weekend. Blades scorers were Davison with a hat-trick and Chad Brandimore.

First published on Thursday 14 October 1999:

Cash-hit Blades forced to fold.

OXFORD'S ice hockey team, the City Motors Fox Blades, are folding just two months into the season - just as they've at last discovered how to win. In their first season last year, the team humiliatingly lost every single English League Premier Division match. Yet, after chalking up their third win on Sunday with a 9-3 victory over Cardiff Rage, the directors had to admit that they couldn't meet their running costs. Director Sid Cabby outlined the irony behind the collapse. He said: "City Motors sponsored us last season and provided us with a couple of cars this season but said they couldn't commit financially. "Fox FM have always provided promotional and advertising backing rather than hard cash." Fellow director Deborah Pope said: "All our set-up costs have been paid for the season but it's the running costs that we can't meet. "The ice hire costs around £1,300 per month and there are players' wages on top of that. "The league have been informed and want us to hang on as long as we can, and most of the players have said they are willing to play for just basic expenses. "But there is no more money and if major sponsorship isn't coming in by the weekend we will be forced to fold a winning team. "After the Blades' abysmal form last season, it has proved impossible to restore confidence and interest from sponsors and fans despite turning results around. This season Blades have won three and drawn one of their first nine matches. Pope said: "Last weekend, we had a major leaflet campaign giving out 2,500 two-for-one ticket vouchers and 1,200 freebies to schoolchildren, but Sunday's crowd was pitifully small. On top of that, the rink now want ten per cent of our gate money and it's just not viable." Blades are due to host Isle of Wight on Sunday but that looks certain to be cancelled. The rest of the ice hockey club will continue from under 19s downwards. The Blades squad has already started to split up with Drew Chapman returning to Swindon and Sean Kelso joining Paisley Pirates. Canadian Kelso only joined Oxford last week and David Fielder joined them at the same time from Telford Timberwolves, who themselves had also just folded. Mike Kellond, owner of top-of-the-league Swindon Chill, who moved the previous team out of Oxford when the rink ice plant failed, said: "I'm disappointed but not surprised. I voiced my concerns earlier in the season as to Oxford's ability to last the season. "Pope issued a plea, asking anyone who believes they can help to phone her on 01491 826396.

First published on Monday 25 October 1999:

Blades get a lifeline.

OXFORD Blades ice hockey team have been thrown a short-term lifeline - but still have to secure sponsorship for their long-term safety. Director Deborah Pope said: "City Leisure, who operate the rink for Oxford City Council, have re-negotiated our hire deal which will be a great help to us and we have received a small cash injection from a private source which will enable us to continue. "However it is still very much a case of living from week to week and we are still actively seeking sponsorship. "Blades celebrated with a 6-5 win over Invicta Dynamos yesterday.

First published on Saturday 27 November 1999:

Fielder takes charge as Blades widen net.

CITY Motors Fox Blades return to English Ice Hockey League action with an away game against Chelmsford Chieftains tonight (face off 6.30pm).Blades will be temporarily led by player-coach David Fielder following the departure of Richie Howe while the management follow up several leads for a long-term off-ice coach. Fielder, who joined Oxford two months ago from Telford, has experience of coaching Telford's 2nd team and has been working hard with the Blades squad this week. Chelmsford will be tough opponents as Oxford have already lost 6-2 and 13-3 there this season. Blades' newest signing, netminder Tom Ayers, celebrates his 19th birthday this weekend and the former Nottingham stopper will be hoping to celebrate with a strong performance. Captain and leading scorer Robin Davison continues to feature prominently in the scoring charts in sixth spot, the only English-born player among the top ten mixture of Scandinavians and Canadians.