Chelmsford Chieftains have continued to negotiate for the forthcoming season and have made three more signings following last week's addition of netminder Simon Smith from Guildford.

Chieftains welcome defender Craig Britton back to Riverside after a season away with Milton Keynes Kings.

The Peterborough based star was an ever-present and popular player throughout the 1997/98 season and was awarded the 'Players' Player of the Year' trophy.

Britton amassed 45 points (25+20) from 42 games in a highly successful season and formed a fine partnership with club captain Jake French.

A Chieftains spokesman said: "Craig's presence will be a huge boost for Chieftains. He is very physical and solid in defence and is always a threat on the opposition blue line. It's great to have him back."

Chieftains have lured exciting young forward Billy Price away from Blackburn Hawks.

Price is another of the players who have come through the National Junior Programme and with netminder Smith was part of the gold medal winning team at the 1997 European Championships.

Price spent last season with the successful Hawks where he scored 29 points (10+19) from 38 games, including five points against Chieftains.

Price, 5' 8'', was also a member of the Lancashire Hawks side in 1997/98, playing at British National level.

Coach Erskin Douglas said: "Billy is a good young British player who is very fast and an excellent passer of the puck.

''I am delighted to have brought him south for Chieftains, he will add great pace and vigour to our side."

Chieftains' defence was strengthened with the signing of Pete Morley from Guildford Flames.

Morley, a six foot six inch giant of a man is 21 years old and has been with the Guildford organisation for most of his playing career, although he was originally a product of Streatham.

He has also been involved with the National Junior squad at under 18 and under 20 level.

Morley is a strong defender who is not afraid to 'mix it' with the best and is a good distributor of the puck.

He played twice against Chelmsford last season in the Christmas Cup competition, scoring an assist in the first fixture.

His progress with Flames last season was hampered by an injury which pleasingly is behind him now.

Chieftains are also close to signing a quality import defence man and are confident that club captain Jake French will return to help complete a formidable defensive unit.

Chieftains also expect to name several quality forwards within the next fortnight.

Commenting on the situation, PR & Marketing Director John Blundell said: "Erskine Douglas has been busy in his negotiations and it is pleasing that the signings are now happening.

''We are adopting a policy of signing good strong defenders who can make telling passes, and quality forwards with pace and scoring ability.

"We aim to have a nucleus of highly experienced players, including some imports and a few players like Price and Morley who have National Junior experience.

"We are not being rushed into signing players and will make the right signings for a balance squad, everything is proceeding to plan."

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