As the new Bermuda Hogges season draws closer I've come to the conclusion that our success off the pitch is every bit as important as on it.

I feel over the last two seasons there's been too much emphasis on our on-field progression and maybe the franchise's development of it has suffered.

Last season especially, co-owner Paul Scope took care off a lot of the organising and behind the scenes stuff and I think our roles need to be adjusted slightly.

I'll be supporting Paul a lot more this campaign with Kyle Lightbourne just focusing on the playing side of things. Obviously Paul and myself will still be able to have our two-pennies-worth, but Kyle will have the final say which is the way it should be.

It's hard enough trying to compete with seasoned professional teams without having to keep dealing with unnecessary hurdles that can distract both the coaches and players.

Everything's a bit disjointed at the moment what with the domestic season still going on, but we've managed to meet with many of the players to let them know the programme of the Hogges season.

We will be looking to bring in a few fresh faces and, again, Kyle will have final say on the make- up of the squad. I read in The Royal Gazette yesterday that PHC's Keston Lewis is interested in playing for us and he's someone who always impressed me in the Premier Division.

It's encouraging when a player expresses a desire to play for you and obviously Kyle, as PHC's coach, will have a good idea on whether Keston could improve our squad.

Another player who has been mentioned in the press in recent weeks in Raymond Beach who has been in sparkling form for Dandy Town Hornets this season. Raymond never really got going when he played for us in our first season, but he looks as hungry and as fit as I've seen him. In my opinion he's the best finisher on the Island – he's a real goal poacher.

Unfortunately there are probably two players on the Island who we would like to include in our squad but are unable to because of their social habits. It's a still a problem in Bermuda and our national teams have suffered because of it. It all comes down to how much you love the game. For me, my passion for playing far outweighed me risking doing anything that could jeopardise that.

It's a shame because there are more opportunities for talented, committed young players in Bermuda than ever before. When I first started there were very little opportunities and if Manchester United had not have given me a chance I doubt I'd have ever left the Island.

As for the Hogges' chances this season, well it's a case of continuing our progression. Finishing bottom or second from bottom will not be progression – everybody is aware of that.

Our challenge has been made more difficult in the absence of John Barry Nusum and Keishen Bean who have been key players for us. But their progression shows we are doing something right – playing for us put them in the shop window and improved their footballing CVs.

I was chatting to Sammy DeGraff recently and he told me that he was at a recent professional trial and almost half the players there had actually sent their footballing resumes to the Hogges. He said it really hit home just what it meant to play for the Hogges and that we are a respected organisation.

Do I think the play-offs are out of the question? No. We weren't far off last season despite our disappointing finish to the season, but we'll have to be on the same page if we're going to achieve anything.