BRACKNELL Bees will be buzzing again at The Hive next season, writes Dave Wright.

Rumours have been circulating that the cash-strapped club may be forced to quit the England Premier League.

But general manager Ben Beeching had some assuring news for fans last weekend.

“I can state that we have every intention of continuing next season,” he said.

But he added that it will be with a “very different

business model.”

Beeching and chairman Andrew Cross have been forced to make some tough decisions as far as the club is concerned in recent months as they battle to keep their team on the ice – and ice that has been thin at times.

“What is very clear to us is that the current business model of operating the club doesn’t work either in terms of expectations or operational costs.

“Running the club with much closer tie-ins to the BIHC (Bracknell Ice Hockey Club, headed by the Hornets) is the way forward, and significantly reduces operating costs to levels that are viable.

“This will not only give us a strong platform from a business level, but give the team some much needed stability on the ice which is the very least the players deserve, and should be able to expect.”

With key players leaving during the season and others being side-lined through injury, Bees have been forced to give youngsters from the Hornets their chance at league level.

Brandon Miles, Josh Martin and Harvey Hind-Pitcher were all recently added to their EPIHL roster.

Beeching believes it would be “totally inappropriate for any new signings to come in before our obligations to existing players and creditors are met".

Results have not gone Bees’ way, with only one win coming in the last 24 games and they look set to finish in the bottom two of the table.

Despite their lack of results, the players’ determination and commitment have not diminished and, as a result, the fans have stayed loyal – although attendances at home matches could still be better.

Writing in the match-day programme for last weekend’s two matches, Beeching placed on his record his “massive thanks” to the players who have struck with the club through thick and thin.

He told them “you’re are a credit to yourselves and the badge” and they had gained respect not only from Bracknell fans but also from opposing players throughout the league.

l VANYA Antonov and Scott Spearing netted for Bees before Manchester Phoenix hit back to win 3-2 at The Hive on Sunday.

Bracknell lost 4-2 against Milton Keynes Lightning 24 hours earlier, the same two players scoring.

Bracknell Bees host Peterborough Phantoms on Saturday, followed by Hull Pirates on Sunday (both 6pm).