AFTER the shock of the drop Invicta Dynamos are looking forward to the start of their new English National Hockey League (South) campaign.

The enforced relegation was for financial reasons after the club lost their main sponsors, but now the initial disappointment has worn off the management team are focusing on rebuilding and going back to basics.

Outgoing team manager Andy Mason, who is now public relations officer, said: “Fans are going to love the hard-hitting, passionate and physical style of hockey served up in this league.

“Our players will be stepping out onto the ice with fire in their bellies and will be playing, not for money, but the love of the game.

“We will be holding trials in mid-August where we hope to discover the new Elliott Andrews’ and Mike Kindreds -- local players with the potential to become real crowd pleasers.”

New team manager Ken Drake knows the amateur hockey scene well because of his time in charge of the Invicta Mustangs, the former feeder team, which is being merged with the Mos.

He said: “This season I want it all. Our aim is to win the league, the play-offs and the cup. We will have a good blend of youth and experience and will be going back to our roots by giving local lads a chance. I remember when we had local players drawing in huge crowds and that is what we want to achieve again.

“There will be lots of battles on the ice, lots of goals and lots of talking points. It will be incident-packed, entertaining hockey with an emphasis on developing young British players.”

Of last season’s roster only team captain Phil Chard, Great Britain under-17s netminder Carl Ambler, utility player Peter Korff and promising youngsters AJ Smith and Garrett Bruce have signed for another year.

Former player Paul Hume also makes a return and talks are on-going with Canadian forward Duane Ward, Haringey’s Gary Dodds and former favourite Mike Kindred could yet be enticed back.

Chard, who is stepping into the role as player coach, said: “This year is all about getting ready to step back up to ENPL level. It might be a case of dropping some of the young players in at the deep end, but that’s the best way for them to reach their full potential.”

Chard also believes that players who have left the club this summer like Elliott Andrews, Michael Wales and Matt Van Der Velden have not severed their ties with the club completely and would be willing to return in a season’s time if the club was back in the ENPL.

Other news on players is that Sean Clement has retired, Matt Beveridge has signed for British National League side Newcastle Vipers, Stuart Lowe has this week joined Romford Raiders and Michael Wales is now a Milton Keynes Lightning player.