MANCHESTER Phoenix have announced that Britain’s greatest hockey star – Tony Hand MBE – has shaken hands on a new long-term deal with the club.

Despite mounting speculation that he was on the verge of a move away from the club, Hand and club owner Neil Morris have agreed a three-year contract for the 41-year-old to continue to build the on-ice programme in Manchester.

Hand said: “I have an excellent working relationship with Neil Morris, and agreeing to stay with the Phoenix club was an easy decision for me to make. Neil is extremely supportive and honourable in his business with the club and I like that. It’s comforting to work for and with someone who you can trust and respect.

“I believe that the club is growing steadily and professionally, and I believe that year on year, we’ve improved in all areas, not only on the ice, but in the community and commercially too. My goal is to continue to improve the playing side and that in turn will benefit all other areas of the club.

“The support the club has received from the people of Manchester and surrounding areas is another factor in my staying on a long-term basis, the people enjoy their hockey and appreciate the efforts of everyone involved with the club. It’s a very friendly, family oriented club, we have an excellent Junior programme and that can only bode well for the future too.

“I’m aware of a lot of speculation at present over the future of the club either within or outside the Elite League, but that has not affected my thinking and decision making at all. I’m committed to continuing to build the Phoenix and will support Neil all the way in whatever direction he chooses for the club to go.”

Neil Morris added: “I have the utmost respect for Tony Hand and the smartest decision I’ve made in hockey was in bringing him to the club.“As an organisation, we are aware that others have been trying to lure him away and probably will still try to sow seeds of doubt in his mind, but I’m tremendously boosted by his willingness to remain in Manchester and continue the excellent work he’s done already.”