THE Bracknell Bees is a step closer to playing next season after a frantic scramble to save the club from closure, it was announced today. 

A new limited company have secured a license to operate the ice hockey team under the Bees brand into the 2016/17 season, the first step on the way to save the club from folding.   

The club still needs the approval of the English Premier Ice Hockey League to play in next season's games but are hopeful following their first success.

The club was at risk of folding after previous sponsors Precision Sports Marketing withdrew financial support in March this year.

A statement posted on the Save the Bees Facebook page said: "The directors of the new Limited company looking to take the Bracknell Bees forward into the English Premier Ice Hockey League for 2016/17 are today delighted to announce that they have been successful in their application for the license to operate the club under the Bracknell Bees brand for the 2016/17 season.

"Whilst today’s news is undoubtedly fantastic it must be remembered however that the granting of the license is just the first major hurdle in the campaign, the new license holders will now seek to gain the approval of the English Premier Ice Hockey League and English Ice Hockey Association to join the EPIHL for the upcoming 2016/17 season and this will be sought at a league meeting on Wednesday 8th June."

Lukas Smital has been confirmed as Head Coach and will start recruiting players immediately, the statement adds. 

After gaining approval to join the EPIHL next season the club hopes to announce their first new signings next Thursday (June 9).

The new directors, which include supporter Matthew Fettal, thanked the fans, supporters, sponsors and volunteers who stepped in to save the club over the past few months.