Words could not describe the look on the face of Earlston (Scratchy) Lawrence nor escape from his mouth as he observed Devonshire Cougars players and fans celebrate a first-ever Premier Division championship at White Hill Field last Sunday.

And the long-serving Devonshire official had every right to be overcome with emotion. After all, he had waited nearly four decades for the glorious moment to arrive.

The former Pond Hill Stars striker and Pembroke Juniors administrator has been a team medic at Cougars since the mid 1960\s. And during his time on the sidelines Lawrence, 81, has experienced more than his share of ups and downs.

But there would be no denying the Pembroke resident on Sunday, as years of dedication, commitment and hope all culminated in long-overdue success for one of the sport's longest-serving and most respected team officials.

"I couldn't even talk because I was overtaken by the feeling and the respect I received from the team made the occasion even more special because they (Cougars players) dedicated their achievement to me," he recalled.

"It's really been a pleasure of mine because I love to be around youth and I have become used to being around them. I have a lot of respect for Cougars and they have always encouraged me to stay with them."

Only three seasons ago, Lawrence watched as Cougars clinched the Martonmere Cup ? the club's first-ever major domestic title.

For Lawrence, that achievement, following a memorable 3-2 win over North Village at Lord's, went a long way toward erasing FA Cup final defeats to a Randy Horton-led Somerset Trojans in 1979 and Vasco da Gama in 1995 at the National Sports Centre (NSC).

"I have had just as much pleasure watching from the sidelines as them (players) playing. And I have seen quite a few players come and go throughout the years," he added.

Lawrence will again be on the bench at the NSC on Sunday when Cougars take on PHC Zebras in the Friendship Trophy final. He also plans to be back for next season.

"As long my health is good I'll be back," he insisted, adding: "I give a lot of credit to these young men. They love the game and have a special respect for the game. We never go out on the field before saying a prayer and I think this is a good inspiration to young men.

"They just needed something to believe in and when you give them the type of attention which they are entitled to, it brings the best out of them."

Lawrence also paid tribute to coach Andrew Bascome and his predecessor, Albert Smith.

"The team was really put together by Albert. But he took sick and I give all the credit in the world to Andrew because he was able to bring out the things that were previously hidden," he added.

"If the players continue to listen to the information Andrew has then I'm almost certain they will do even better in the future because they love the game, and they love themselves.

"But to be a champion is really hard to explain. It's one of the things I had always hoped would happen and now we are finally Bermuda's number one team."