Andrew Bascome has agreed a three-year deal with Robin Hood to become the First Division side's first professional head coach, club president Paul Scope said yesterday.

The agreement formalises the relationship Bascome already had with the ambitious outfit which saw him supervise the Hood's training sessions during their debut season in the First Division.

They narrowly missed out on promotion to the top-flight at their first attempt last term but will be confident of succeeding this time around especially with former Boulevard coach Bascome now on board full-time.

Scope, who took control of the team on matchdays last season, said securing Bascome's services was the next piece in the jigsaw for the 'new-look' outfit.

"We worked with Andrew last season and it was successful although we didn't win promotion," said the Bermuda Hogges' co-owner.

"It's not good having the guy who does training not sitting on the bench so I'm delighted to get Andrew as head coach of our football club."

Bascome and Scope have been busy strengthening the squad in pre-season and have landed a trio of transfer coups in veteran goalkeeper Timmy Figureido, Corona League hot-shot Neal Churchill and ex-Somerset Trojans winger Aaron Williams.

All three players have qualities the Hood were previously lacking and Scope has no doubt the team will be among the promotion contenders next season.

"We're definitely aiming for promotion next season and we've added some strength to the team," he said.

"Neal was close to being a professional when he was younger and, unlike some players who come to the Island and say that, I think his performances last year showed he had played at a very good level.

"He was unstoppable in the Corona League and has great movement. He will be a real impact player for us.

"When Kyle (Lightbourne) and I were with the national team we were about to call Aaron into the squad but he went away to school.

"He's just returned to the Island and seems excited to join us. He and Neal will give us a sharper edge in attack."

Although Figureido has signed primarily as a player he will also be working with the club's goalkeepers, a role he currently performs with the Bermuda Hogges.

"I'm sure Andrew would welcome Timmy's input as a keeper coach, although he has signed for us as a player and will be a full member of our squad," Scope said.

"We will now have two really good goalkeepers as I would argue that Jason Simmons is one of the best goalkeepers on the Island, never mind the First Division."

Next season's second tier will be as competitive as it has been in recent memory with Trojans and Hamilton Parish looking for a speedy top-flight return, while BAA Wanderers could be a surprise package under new football director Kenny Thompson.

Scope expects BAA to become a real force in time and also believes X'Roads could also be a genuine threat.

"I'm sure Kenny will add to BAA's ability to be competitive and it will good to revive our rivalry," he said.

"MR Onions were fairly strong last season and X'Roads probably had the best record during the second half of the season.

"Ireland Rangers often turn out a good team and then you've got Trojans and Hamilton Parish looking to bounce back, so it will be tough for us."

As part of the Hood's long-term vision they will set up a youth development programme as they endeavour to establish themselves as a competitive force on the Island.

"I'm sure Andrew will attract some of the young players he worked with at Bascome FC in the future," said Scope.

"But we're certainly not looking to take players who have come through another club's junior programme and have only just started to finalise plans to begin our own junior programme."