Robert Lee produced arguably the biggest upset during the Bermuda Football Association’s awards ceremony at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute last week.

The Paget Lions coach beat out the likes of former Bermuda coach Andrew Bascome for the First Division Coach of the Year award.

“I was surprised when my name was called going up against Andrew Bascome,” Lee admitted.

“I am delighted to be the First Division Coach of the Year, but it was a collective effort involving the players, coaching staff, the president and the Paget community. It was a team effort and that’s how I got that award.”

Lee thrived in his first full season at the helm as he guided Lions to promotion.

“It is very satisfying to be able to do that,” said Lee, who took over the reins from predecessor Brian Iris with three games remaining in the 2016-17 season.

“I think last season we just weren’t connecting the dots and with an open mind coming in the next season without a lot of experience I listened a lot to the senior players. I think we got guys playing in the right positions and that’s what helped carry us through the season.

Lee also cited “the will to win” and “camaraderie among the players” as the catalyst for the club’s successful season in which he also coached Lions to the Shield Trophy final and FA Cup semi-final for the first time in the club’s history, where they lost against landlords Southampton Rangers on each occasion.

“Coach Lee stepped up in his first year in the First Division and I would say he did tremendous and I’m very proud of him,” Mike Stovell, the Paget Community Club president, said.

“We had the likes of Tariq Smith and Jamie Raynor assist him and we managed to achieve our primary objective, which was promotion.”

With promotion secured, Lee has already set his sights on his team’s next priority: survival in the top flight next season.

“That’s my goal because the last time we were up we went straight back down and so we‘re trying not to be the yo-yo team,” Lee said. “I would really like to stay there for a few seasons at least for the community and for the young players that I’m trying to bring through the squad.

“We have a youth programme and that was my goal when we started; to transition players from that programme into the senior team eventually.”

Stovell intends to strengthen the squad during the off-season to enhance their chances of survival.

“We are in the process of rebuilding and searching for a few players,” Stovell said. “Other than that we will have the same nucleus going forward and trying to compete as normal.”

Paget were among the biggest winners at the BFA awards ceremony as striker Dion Stovell won the First Division MVP award, Tahjae Welch the First Division Young Player of the Year award and Jason Smith the First Division Goalkeeper of the Year award.

“Definitely winning the Coach, MVP, Young Player and Goalkeeper of the Year awards really shows that we put in a great effort this season,” Lee added. Also among those congratulating Lee on his team’s superb season and for winning his award was his elder sibling Roger Lee Sr, who is the head coach of Somerset Eagles, one of only two teams to beat Lions in the league last term.

“It’s a very proud moment for the family and I congratulate him and the Paget team and community for what they done this season,” Roger Lee said. “All credit to that organisation and my brother as the coach. I congratulate him on winning Coach of the Year.

“I think he was well deserving for the effort that he put in to get the team to where they are, and so I wish him all the best for the future.”