Bracknell Bees’ Player/Coach Lukas Smital says he is fully committed to the cash-strapped club and will do whatever it takes to get a team on the ice next season.

Bees have endured a difficult campaign, winning just 10 out of 54 games, while off the ice they have struggled to make ends meet.

The 41-year-old has confirmed he’s already started planning for the future: “No matter what the budget is here, I will get a team out next season,” he told Bracknell News.

“My plans are to save this team and get a group of people together to keep this club going. Is it going to be easy? Absolutely not. I am going to use my best possible knowledge and experience to save the club.

“I want to get the right people on board with us to help us to get through it. The budget is the last thing I worry about. The first thing is to save this team.

“Even if we have the lowest budget possible, I will get a team together. We have to rebuild. It could take two years and it needs patience. You can’t go and start winning all of a sudden.”

With Bees confirming they see their immediate future in the EPL, Smital is keen to retain his top players although he expects there will be interest from other clubs.

“We have good players here and I’m pretty sure some will get offers,” he added. “Most of them I would like to keep. They are up for it and, fingers crossed, they will stay.

“As I have said before, all we may need is one or two top-end British players. We are also short of two import forwards as they make so much of a difference, especially in close games.

“All the experience the youngsters have got this year will carry on into next year. They will get stronger, they will get hungrier, so that is a plus.”

(Image permission: Bob Swann)