PETR Cech hopes his experience at the elite level in football will benefit Oxford City Stars this season.
The former Chelsea goalkeeper signed for the Stars in June, and is braced to get his ice hockey career with the third tier side underway on Saturday.
Cech spent 11 years at Stamford Bridge and won every club honour possible, while breaking the Blues’ clean sheet record.
The 41-year-old thrived in high-pressure situations, most noticeably when he saved two penalties in the Champions League final shoot-out victory against Bayern Munich in 2012.
READ AGAIN: Petr Cech on return to city that saved his life
He told this newspaper: “I had my career the way I did because of the way I worked and the way I did things, which can probably be a good example for the younger players, to see that it doesn’t matter how old you are or how much you’ve already achieved – the everyday dedication and training is what’s really important.
“I hope I can share some of my knowledge with the other boys in the dressing room.
“The ultimate thing is that you train, you prepare and get the reward at the weekend, to win as many games as you can.”
Fighting for the goaltender jersey alongside Cech will be Ross Miller, heading into his fifth campaign with the Stars, and summer signing Joe Dollin.
Cech said: “It’s always nice to have people challenge for the position. It’s good to have competition and a good working environment where people push each other, but can help each other.
“With all my experience, it’s the mental side of being a goalkeeper, which is a huge part.
“Hopefully I can pass on something over the course of the year, and in high-pressure situations and high-pressure games.
“Ross is a very talented goalkeeper and I played against him four or five times last season, and he had big performances.
“I hope I can contribute and make the most out of it for myself and the team.”
“We’ve got nothing to fear and we’ll try to get stronger each week. I think it’s been a good progression so far.”@OxCityFC head coach Ross Jenkins reacts to the Hoops’ first ever win in the National Leaguehttps://t.co/7Dx0qQsjLm
— Liam Rice (@OxMailLiamRice) August 29, 2023
After retiring from football in 2019, Cech initially signed for Guildford Phoenix later that year, and then spent last season with Chelmsford Chieftains.
“With Phoenix, I came back to playing ice hockey after 20 years in my football career,” he said.
“One thing is when you practise and another is when you play the games.
“That was a good experience for me to come back after 20 years of not playing ice hockey.
“Last season, it was a new experience for me with Chelmsford.
“It was great and a challenge playing a higher league, and playing in more games.
“I joined the team during the season and I really enjoyed my time there because the club has a big following and has a really good atmosphere in the rink.”
About the author
To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/
Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.
Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.
His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.
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