It can be hard to keep up with roster moves in the UK scene. Post-season, there’s a tendency for a lot of teams to either disband or make roster changes. This can, sometimes, be overwhelming to keep up with.
Take this season in UKIC Division 1: all 10 teams made a roster change heading into the new year.
Therefore, we have compiled a list of every roster change that has happened so far, and we will continue to update this article with more changes as they happen.
Nem Retires
Luke “Nem” Mear has been a valued and enthusiastic member of the UK CS scene for a long time. Originally breaking through the scene on Hypnotic Gaming at EPIC.LAN 29 placing 7th-8th alongside Tim “TIMMO” Musters. The rifler then honed his craft, continuing to play with longstanding teammate TIMMO on rosters such as Lucent and Flight Esports. This journey was accompanied by now-IGL of Monte, Jack “Gizmy” von Spreckelsen.
During this period, Nem made a top-three run at EPIC.LAN 35 and was tantalisingly close to making ESEA Advanced through their ESEA Main playoff runs.
Last year, he took a break at the start of the year to go travelling in Asia with Joe “Dexie” Demmon. Upon returning, there was no ambition for either of them to come back to competing. Before long, however, the two were back competing on the server with an old familiar face.
The two of them linked up with former teammate IGL Connor “Finui” Finucane, and they formed the project Halal5, later becoming Belfast Storm. Over the last year, Belfast Storm notably made a storied Grand Finals run in UKIC Season 4 Division 1, only losing to Verdant in triple overtime on the third map.
On March 21st, Nem announced his retirement and departure from Belfast Storm. In the organisation’s X post, Nem says:
“You’ll still see me at UK events, having way too many beers… I am still here, but I want to play the game because I want to and not because I have to. Start turning it into more of a hobby again.”
A legend of the UK scene and an absolute pleasure to have representing Belfast Storm.
A larger than life character and someone that will be missed greatly here.
Thank you @NemCsgo pic.twitter.com/zMF9Rwkqic
— Belfast Storm (@Belfaststorm) March 21, 2025
ANTARCTICA disband
After the recent roster turbulence, ANTARCTICA has disbanded, with individuals going their separate ways.
The unorged squad saw complications within their ranks, as they decided to mutually part ways with Joe “joeski” Holmes before the season ended. Interestingly enough, seven days later, ANTARCTICA decided to continue with joeski for the next season.
However, this harmony only lasted for three days. Due to personalities clashing, ANTARCTICA has fully disbanded, with everyone going their separate ways.
You can find out more in the article below.
ANTARCTICA melt due to personality clashes
The Last Resort drops their roster; Dripmen return
The Dripmen tag created by Fraser “frazehh” Sollom has returned.
After a turbulent season seeing The Last Resort produce poor results at both EPIC.LAN 44 and UKIC Season 5 Division 1, the team parted ways with TLR.
At the same time, Joshua “JAUSTERE” Philpott and Kirk “Tadpole” Stephens both retired again, and only frazehh and Bigun007 remain from the previous roster.
The two of them rebuild the roster under the Dripmen tag.
You can find out more in the article below.
Dripmen reach Last Resort, leave org, rebuild
Soul’s Heart disband; bevve and dobbo left teamless
At the start of the year, William “dobbo” Dobson and James “bevve” Slinn link up with familiar face Jacob “Rezst” Hemming on Soul’s Heart.
This project led by Rezst had previously garnered great success competing in ESEA Advanced, making playoffs in Season 51. Looking to continue with this upward trajectory, the roster rebuilt its core as they picked up the UK duo and AWPer Martin “Happyy” Hlaváč.
Unfortunately, this season didn’t go to plan as they lost their ESEA Advanced spot, ultimately disbanding.
This leaves dobbo, bevve and UK coach Jack “Wixinho” Wickens LFT.
Left @SoulsHeartOff – Had some personal things pop up and had to sort. Thanks to all teammates & staff at the org, appreciate the support despite the terrible results.
Streams resume soon pic.twitter.com/0AP2hu1C3K
— bevve (@bevvexyz) March 14, 2025
Viperio Academy players to explore options as free agents
Even though Viperio Academy qualified back into ESEA Main, their overall mixed results have led Viperio Academy to disband.
Viperio stated in their post on X:
Decision comes after mixed results, with strong performances in European leagues and offline events, but underperformance in the national leagues.
The British organisation, however, does confirm that they will be looking to rebuild their academy team, saying:
Viperio will rebuild it’s academy team with UK players, and will continue to work with any of the players that are interested in forming part of the rebuild… Viperio remains committed to fostering UK Counter-Strike talent and looks forward to building another competitive roster for the future.
— Viperio (@viperioesports) March 8, 2025
Glitchtech Implode
A rough season regionally and internationally leads the newly founded Glitchtech project to break down.
Heading into EPIC.LAN 44, the hopes were high for Glitchtech. Marco “MMS” Salomone will be the first to tell you he was disappointed in the result Glitchtech achieved at EPIC.LAN 44. As mentioned in the interview with him, MMS and co were aiming for the top 2 at least, the stage was where their eyes were set. Unfortunately, Glitchtech didn’t make the stage, or even HLTV for that matter, as they ended up eliminated in the top 12.
The fallout from EPIC.LAN was Glitchtech, forfeiting the rest of the games in UKIC Season 5 Division 1 as they disbanded.
The organisation, in their statement on X, said:
It wasn’t the season any of us had hoped for, but we move forward with determination. As we look ahead we will be seeking a new roster to build for the future.
An important announcement from us at Glitchtech. pic.twitter.com/scRTazK7HA
— Glitchtech Esports (@GlitchtechES) March 7, 2025
Annex calls it quits
After being demoted from UKIC Division 1 last season, Annex rebuilt, bringing in Karl-Hendrik “tsutskam” Palu. This seemed to help, as they have gained promotion back to UKIC Division 1 for Season 6. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem like it was enough.
A long-term project led by Joseph “godkU” Fowkes comes to an end after not achieving the results they would have originally sought out.
it was fun while it lasted but think us at @AnnexEsport will be disbanding/mixing out after ukic finishes.
open to offers but will likely stop team cs unless something interesting pops up.
thank u to my team mates, @LekwaiO and everyone i played with:)
— godkU (@godkUcs) March 2, 2025
Sorex kicked from CAD
In a shocking turn of events, only days after Ctrl Alt Defeat’s third place EPIC.LAN 44 run Jack “Sorex” Renton-Cooper has been kicked from the project.
CAD reached some very high highs this season with the aforementioned EPIC.LAN result, but these performances couldn’t be sustained throughout their season. After a poor performance in UKIC Season 5 Division 1, CAD will be demoted to Division 2 for the next season, as they are on the lookout for a new IGL and coach.
we at @cadeventsuk are looking for both an:
– IGL
– Coach
to play in @UKICircuit , @ESEA and @EPICLAN . We are looking to play at least 4 days a week. RT’s appreciated.
— Benjamin (@BENJYMINCSGO) February 26, 2025
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