The future of Chelmsford Chieftains looks rosy as the club looks towards a new season - but doubts surround which league the team will be playing in.

It is no secret that the sport is very much a finance-driven one, with the clubs with the biggest income through spectators and sponsorship being the most successful.

Chieftains publc relations and marketing director, John Blundell, said: ''It is no secret that the English Premier League (Chieftains' current league) will find it difficult to be viable, finishing this season with only five teams after Cardiff and Oxford had pulled out.

''There are rumours about one or two more teams joining, but just as many rumours about other teams pulling out.

''If the English Premier League were to disband, where would that leave Chelmsford Chieftains?

''We would have the option of going 'up' to British National League level or going 'down' to English League Division One''.

Mr Blundell reflected: ''Both hold their own problems for Chieftains. The former would pitch Chieftains in with significantly higher budget teams such as Basingstoke, Fife and Guildford and could possibly see Chieftains, as Milton Keynes found out this year, struggling to compete.

''Add the scenario of additional administration and travelling costs with a possible reduction in spectator base and we could see the club in some difficulties.

''The other option to drop down would almost certainly see Chieftains as one of the top clubs, possibly winning everything but playing half of our games against, with no disrespect to them, teams with much lower budgets and a return to grossly one-sided matches.

''It is a dilemma we will need to consider very carefully''.

''There is a meeting of English Premier League clubs and any others interested in next season, at Nottingham this Sunday (April 9).''

''We will then have a much clearer idea of our options. Whatever happens we will make the right decision for the club, our sponsors and ice hockey in Chelmsford.''

Chelmsford Chieftains Ice Hockey Club held their official end of season presentation dinner last Friday to celebrate their treble winning season.

As well as players and management, all the Chelmsford Chieftains sponsors from the past season were present.

Three player presentations were made at the dinner.

The 'Players' player of the year' award went to top goalscorer Duane Ward (who a week earlier won the fans vote), whilst the sponsors' choice of player of the year went to goalkeeper Simon Smith.

A special Pepsi award for the player considered to have made significant contribution to the club over the season was won jointly by the 'third line attack of Richard Whiting, Jamie Randall and Billy Price.

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