Planet Ice the owners of the Basingstoke Bison are delighted to announce that the club have been accepted into the English Premier League for this coming 2009/10 season.

Agreement was reached between the clubs of the EPL at their annual play-off finals in Coventry last weekend to allow the Herd to join their ranks in the autumn.

This means Planet Ice can start planning for the exciting new season ahead and the fans of the Bison can look forward to the return of local derbies with the Bracknell Bees, Guildford Flames and Slough Jets.

This will a bright new beginning for ice hockey in the town and will enable the Herd to compete with the best of the EPL and make it an thrilling year to look forward to.

John Neville, Director of Group Operations for Planet Ice said: "We are grateful that all the teams in the English Premier League has accepted us into their family for the forthcoming season. We feel this is the right step for the Bison and now will look to build a team which will be a credit to the league, as well as the organisation.

"We have some of the best fans in the country and want them to enjoy success again. We will be looking to deliver a product on the ice, which the community and town of Basingstoke will be proud of."

See Thursday Gazette for some more great news on the Bison's first season in the EPL.