Drewonde Bascome’s season finally begins in earnest this weekend when the former Devonshire Cougars midfielder makes his debut for Dandy Town at Southampton Oval.

Bascome had to complete his move to St John’s Field through a late transfer because he initially transferred to North Village before changing his mind after the first transfer period closed. Now the two month wait to play for the Hornets is almost over.

The son of Andrew Bascome, the Bermuda coach, Drewonde Bascome is eager to pull on a Town jersey and play a role in the team’s success this season.

“Everything is going good, I’m enjoying training, working hard and I can’t wait to play, it’s been a long wait,” said the 22-year-old after a training session on Thursday night.

“I’ve been waiting for about two months but I think it’s a good move. I hope everything goes well and that I have a good season. I’m looking forward to being a part of the team.

“They play good attacking football, play together, have a good team spirit and I enjoy being around the club. I grew up with a couple of the players, Quadir [Maynard] in my youth team and Angelo Simmons with me in the national squad.”

Bascome’s willingness to train despite not being eligible to play has already made an impression on Jomar Wilkinson, the Dandy Town coach.

“He has decided to train although he isn’t eligible to play, and that says a lot about his character,” Wilkinson said.

“He’s definitely got the talent, and he has shown me that he’s got the character and heart that he needs in order to play for Dandy Town.

“He’s a born winner and definitely will be a major asset to this team and help to take us to the next level. We’re looking forward to having him in a brown jersey.”

Bascome already knows what it takes to be a winner, and was part of a Cougars team that won the triple crown three seasons ago.

And while he sought a new challenge this season, the midfielder admits Devonshire Cougars will always be a part of him. He joins another former Cougars player, defender Dominique Williams, at Town following his transfer there in the summer.

The in-demand midfielder was initially headed to Bernard Park, where his father and uncles Herbie and David started, but decided to sit out and seek a late transfer to the other side of town.

“I respect the coach, Richard Todd, but North Village wasn’t a fit for me,” Bascome said.

Bascome doesn’t know what role he will play against Southampton Rangers on Sunday, but he is eager to get started.

“I came over here to enjoy my football,” he said. “My father is cool with it, he just wants the best for me, just wants me to enjoy playing.

“I enjoyed being at Cougars, that’s my team, and I would like to go back there one day.”

Wilkinson sees Bascome as another piece in the Town puzzle, though he isn’t saying how he plans to use him in the team.

“He’s a versatile player with many strengths,” Wilkinson said. “For Bermuda he played as a defensive midfielder and can also play further up the field.

“He has the capability of plugging a lot of areas, and has the potential to score goals and create goals.”

Wilkinson’s young side are chasing their first straight win in the league, but he insists the best is yet to come from the Hornets. “Our biggest challenge is getting players to believe that we can do so much more when we work together,” he said.

“We’re definitely better defensively and that was one of our goals this season. A good defence most of the time turns into a good offence and hopefully that continues.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge on Sunday at Rangers. They have a lot of pride and play with a lot of guts. We won’t be taking them lightly with Keith Jennings at the helm.”