Kyle Lightbourne has revealed Bermuda Hogges will expand their selection pool and recruit players from overseas as part of their long-term vision to evolve into a formidable force.

The Hogges' hopes of securing the final play-off spot went up in smoke last night at the National Sports Centre as they lost their final match of the season 2-1 against Harrisburg City Islanders.

And Lightbourne now believes he must look to bolster his squad with two or three non-Bermudians before next season in an effort to improve upon their disappointing ninth-place finish.

"We probably do need to bring in a couple of foreign players to help us," said Lightbourne. "It's something we will definitely look to do before for next season.

"We would certainly be in a better position if we had a few more experienced players, especially a proven goalscorer and a no-nonsense defender."

Such a move would almost certainly come under fire from some members of the football fraternity who would view drafting in foreign players as detrimental to the development of home-grown talent.

But Lightbounre believes that attitude is blinkered and is adamant the current crop of Hogges players would benefit greatly from playing alongside experienced overseas campaigners.

"I can tell you now the only way you improve is playing against better players and alongside better players," Lightbourne said.

"Not everything I learned in England was from a coach. I learned so much from the players I was playing alongside."

The Hogges would certainly have no shortage of overseas players wishing to join their ranks. According to Lightbourne, the club are besieged with emails each week from players from all over the world requesting trials.

"Every week we receive around 40 emails from players who want to play for the Hogges," said Lightbourne. "These players are prepared to pay their own way just to have us look at them – it's unbelievable.

"These players are from Africa, Europe, Australia and Brazil and it just shows you that we're in a professional league and people want to play for us."

It has been a testing sophomore season for the Hogges both and on and off the field, with Lightbourne conceding the franchise's level of growth has been more laboured than he would have liked.

"There have been signs of us improving but in some areas we've stagnated," he said.

"Some people may think we need outside help but I can guarantee you that the coaching we're giving the players is the coaching me and Shaun (Goater) received when we played professionally in England.

"Ideally we would like all our players to be full-time and training every day, but we just can't afford to do that.

"A high proportion of our supporters are through complementary tickets. We need to boost our gate and generate more money – it's been very hard.

"Myself, Shaun and Paul Scope get criticised and yet were trying to do a positive thing for football on the Island.

n The Hogges dominated the first-half against Harrisburg City Islanders but fell behind in the 39th minute when Brett Wiesner scored for the visitors.

In the 75th minute the Islanders doubled their lead when substitute Adam Clay followed up a David Schofield shot that Timmy Figureido had parried.

Damon Ming then missed a penalty in the 83rd minute, but in the final minute substitute Domico Coddington struck a fine volley to pull a goal back for the Hogges.