Boyles turns down part-time job offer

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Devarr Boyles has turned down an offer from Bermuda Football Association (BFA) to continue working for them on a part-time basis.

The BFA’s director of player development steps down from his role at the end of the month after being told by the cash-strapped Association that they can no longer afford his wages.

Budget cuts have taken heavy toll on the BFA, having had their annual Government grant slashed from $3 million to a meagre $400,000 in recent years.

As part of the drastic cost-cutting measures, the BFA’s programme developer co-ordinator Ian Rawlins and financial controller Gideon Kigotho have also been made redundant.

“There was an offer on the table but it wasn’t compatible to where I am or where I think the Association is,” said Boyles. “We have look at what’s best both for the Association and myself.”

It remains unclear if Boyles will have in any involvement in this summer’s Bermuda Hogges season and the national team’s Digicel Caribbean Cup campaign.

The ex-Devonshire Cougars boss has been an integral part of Hogges’ backroom staff for the past two seasons along with head coach Maurice Lowe, Scott Morton and Gary Darrell.

He was also interim coach of the national team in last year’s World Cup qualifiers when he further enhanced his coaching reputation, with Bermuda winning three and drawing one of their six group matches.

Although the Caribbean Cup is on the horizon, the BFA have yet to appoint a permanent coach and Boyles hasn’t ruled out assisting the national team programme beyond his redundancy date.

“The agreement we have in place is that I will step down in the 31st of May. After that particular point everything is up in the air and it’s up to the Association to determine whether they want me to be at all involved,” Boyles said.

“I think most coaches and players will always make themselves available if their country comes to call. I think there could be a platform and an environment to do good work depending on the shape and form (of any agreement).”

Hogges owner Paul Scope would also like to see Boyles continue to assist the Hogges set-up, even if on a volunteer basis.

“I’m disappointed Devarr won’t be involved (in the Hogges). I’m sad for Devarr, I think he’s a great guy and has been very supportive of the Hogges,” said Scope.

“Both he and Ian Rawlins have been very professional over the past few weeks. Their redundancy isn’t effective until the end of the month but they have still kept on doing a lot of work for the Hogges on behalf of the BFA.

“I’d still like to have Devarr as some sort of advisor for the Hogges. He’s certainly somebody I’d talk to about ideas for the Hogges, which we have done for the last two years.

“He may even do a bit of that on a voluntary basis because he’s that kind of guy, you know.”

Scope, the Robin Hood vice-president, has expressed in an interest in Boyles becoming the next coach of the Premier Division side following Andrew Bascome’s resignation.

“We have a vacancy to fill and we’ve had a few coaches show some interest,” he said. “I’ll be meeting with (club president) Derek Stapley and (assistant coach) Bobby Emmett on Monday to discuss our options. Devarr is someone we would be delighted to have at the club but I’m sure he will have plenty of options.”

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