After enjoying their most productive season in four years last term, the announcement that Nathan Rempel, Brent Gough, Maris Ziedins and Dwayne Newman have all agreed new deals shows the club is determined to build on last season's achievements.

The club's most valuable player last season Rempel and Evening Telegraph Sportsman of the Year Gough are two of the best forwards in the EPL while fans will be eager to see what Ziedins can do given a full season in a Phantoms jersey.

Director Jon Kynaston said: "We had a great season last year and we are determined to have another good campaign which is why it was vital that we were able to retain these players.

"Since the appointment of Colin Patterson as coach the club identified their return as a top priority.

"We have not looked at any other import players as we have four of the best in the league. They are guys who know what it means to pull on a Phantoms shirt."

It is understood that Latvian Ziedins has completely recovered from a persistent knee injury while Newman's return for another season marks the end of a remarkable 12 months for the defenceman.

Having lost his job as player- coach at the start of last season Newman's future was uncertain, but he delivered a string of excellent peformances to be voted the fans' defenceman of the season.

Phantoms also announced that skipper Lewis Buckman will also be back next season.

Kynaston added: "We have the players we want and I am sure we will be able to go from strength to strength. The club's aim is to finish inside the top four once again and do better in the play-offs than last season."