Third Division Club Scarborough to await a work permit which would enable him to become Bermuda's fourth England-based professional footballer.

"I don't know how long it will be, they have started working on it but it will take some time,'' he said.

"I'm excited about it, that's what I came here for. I'm a little upset Albie (Smith) didn't make it, but I don't think he got an equal chance.

"I thought he did well enough to make the team, without a doubt. But the coach said he was just looking for a striker.'' Lightbourne, who gave up cricket this season to concentrate on preparing for the trials, hasn't ruled out putting on his whites when he gets back home -- just to keep fit while he awaits his work permit.

He also hasn't ruled out playing in some matches with PHC.

"I want to keep in shape and I'll be training with PHC,'' Lightbourne confirmed. "If I'm still here when the season starts I will play for them. I haven't signed anything yet (with Scarborough) and won't sign until I get back.'' PHC president Leroy (Nibs) Lewis has been sent a copy of the contract Scarborough will offer Lightbourne once the work permit is obtained.

"I'm happy about it,'' he said. "Kyle said that he is happy with it and I hope he makes the best of his chances.

"It has always been his wish to play professionally and I wish him the best.

It couldn't happen to a nicer person. He has worked hard at his game and really deserves it.'' Lightbourne could be pressing for a starter's position as soon as he returns to Scarborough. But he fears a long wait for his work permit will hamper the progress he has made, and that's the reason why he is so keen to maintain his level of fitness.

"When the season starts and the team gets into a rhythm I don't know how hard it's going to be to make the team,'' he said.

Lightbourne started in three friendly matches and scored two goals in one of them. Two of the friendly games were against non-league teams which they won 3-0 and 3-1 and the other game against Hull City on Saturday which Scarborough won 1-0.

Lightbourne played in the first half of the Hull match and had a chance which the 'keeper saved. He came on in the second half and then went back on after a player got injured.

Last season's top scorer in Bermuda (33 goals) has been used by Scarborough as a striker in a 4-2-4 formation. He had adjusted quickly to the long ball play, which is similar to the way PHC play.

"I found it easier to adjust,'' he said. "The pace is a lot faster so you just have to keep on running. What makes it even harder is the (opposing) defence presses out quickly to try to get you offside.'' Lightbourne thinks his height and shooting ability helped him to impress the coach and he says other aspects of his game have definitely improved in the month he's been there.

"My heading has improved and I'm winning a lot of balls in the air,'' he said. "The other strikers are shorter than me.

"When I got there they thought I was more right-footed. Nick (Jones) came to see us train and said he hasn't seen me use my right foot so much. The main striker is also left-footed.'' The Bermuda international, who turns 24 in September, is one of the oldest players at the club where there are 19 professionals.

Brendon Ornsby, a former Aston Villa player who came to Bermuda with them a few years ago, has been signed by the club. He is the oldest player while there is one other older than Lightbourne.

"Everybody else is 20 or 21 while a couple are 19-years-old,'' Lightbourne explained. "At first I thought my age would hold me back but the coach accepted it.'' Scarborough open their season in a couple of weeks time with an away match against Hereford United, who have Bermudians Meshach Wade and Kentoine Jennings on their books.

Lightbourne has been in touch with the pair, as well as Shawn Goater at Rotherham and Dwayne Adams and Shawn Smith who are on trials with Crewe Alexandra.

Adams and Smith have been doing well and should know this week whether the club intends to sign them.

Adams played the whole match against Bristol City which Crewe won 6-1 and last Tuesday played in the first half in the 4-1 win over Blackpool. Smith picked up a thigh injury and didn't play in those two matches. He was to resume training this week.

Lightbourne is a two-hour drive from Sheffield and one hour from Leeds.

Shortly after he and Smith arrived in Scarborough they rented a car and drove to Leeds.

"It's a quiet area with nothing much to do.'' he says.

Kyle Lightbourne.