Cup between league and FA Cup champions PHC Zebras and Boulevard. Starting today, The Royal Gazette will profile the 10 First Division clubs and the Second Division.

Jack Castle enters his first season as coach of League and FA Cup champions PHC with the unenviable task of being expected to once again take them to the pinnacle of local soccer much like his predecessors.

Fans have come to expect nothing short of total domination from the powerhouse that is the Zebras and Castle, who has been specifically groomed for the position, will certainly have his work cut out with all others gunning for his team's titles.

"Personally I don't think it will be that difficult taking over the team,'' said Castle, a major part of several championship-winning teams and last year's assistant to Alfred Eve. "I'm not planning on making any major changes in the way the team plays or anything like that, but intend to continue along the same vein as in the past.'' That past is littered with the glittery glow of championships and mountains of silverware, having won every local competition at least twice and established as perennial favourites each time a new season tolls.

Last year was no less rewarding than previous ones with the acquisition of two major prizes -- FA Cup and League -- in addition to the Charity Cup where they defeated eventual league runners-up Boulevard 2-0, whom they face yet again Saturday night to start off the season.

PHC suffered just two league losses the entire season, both of those coming early in their campaign, and were almost unstoppable late, when titles were at stake.

Their worst loss came at the hands of Dandy Town, a 4-0 drubbing in the first round of the Martonmere Cup, and they made an early exit from the competition.

However, sweet revenge was achieved against these same rivals with a 2-1 triumph in the FA Cup final at National Stadium.

A virtual non-factor in the Dudley Eve Trophy, PHC did reach the finals of the Friendship Trophy only to be astonishingly repelled by a spirited Southampton Rangers outfit, who carried that mantle with them to the depths of the Second Division based on a brilliant strike by Janeiro Tucker in a 1-0 victory.

Opinion is that the as-yet-unproven Castle will continue to hover under the spectre of his mentor, club president Leroy (Nibs) Lewis, until such time that he has brought home a sizeable chunk of history, but Castle was quick to shoot down that theory.

"I don't feel any added pressure being a young coach,'' said Castle. "With Nibs in back of me lending his support I think it can only help.

"I have the respect of the players and as far as the senior players are concerned they all want to have me and the team do well.'' Virtually the same starters return for the current drive with the exception of utility man Anthony (Rango) Stovell, who moved to Paget in the off-season.

Leading marksman Kyle Lightbourne is expected to take off from where he left off at the end of last year, scoring goals in abundance, and will be assisted in attack by Sammy Swan and Winston Trott, Jr. Promising young player Otis Steede can also step in at any time to add more venom to what is without doubt the Island's most prolific frontline.

Captain and vocal leader Mike Dill remains the heart and soul of a stingy defence that conceded only 18 goals in league play. Derek (Nails) Douglas, if his comeback is successful, also brings experience to the centre-back position as does incumbent Blake Simons.

The full-back spots are suspect and recently have been occupied by players converted to the position rather than natural flank defenders. It will be interesting to see who Castle chooses to play there, whether he sticks with Shawn Simmons on one side and similarly utilises veteran Dennis Wainwright, Jr., or opts for an alternate tandem.

In their vertical system of play PHC's midfield is often bypassed and their members play diminished roles as ball distributors and links, acting more as attackers -- hence Sheridan Ming and Kevin Dill occupying spots -- surging from deep. Frank Ming is their only legitimate playmaker but will need to exert himself more after suffering through a somewhat mediocre 1991-92 campaign.

Castle said that he has not set any goals for the upcoming year although his club's large band of supporters no doubt have more than a few in mind.

"I'm expecting to do well and if it means retaining the trophies we won last year so be it, but we will be a force to be reckoned with.'' With an outdated style not always pretty to watch the Warwick club do something that never goes out of style...win, and this year should prove no different than all the rest regardless of who is writing the Xs and Os.

1991-92 accomplishments: League -- first; Charity Cup -- defeated Boulevard 2-0; FA Cup -- defeated Dandy Town 2-1 in final; Friendship Trophy -- lost to Southampton Rangers 1-0 in final.

Notable player transfers: In -- Casey Burgess, Osei Jones Out -- Anthony Stovell JACK CASTLE -- New man in charge at PHC.