In only his second year at the helm, North Village coach Scott Morton is enjoying success at an alarming rate having taken over the reins from Kenny Thompson at the beginning of the 1999/2000 season.

But at time when his colleagues are parading both league and FA Cup silverware, the former Dandy Town stalwart remains jobless - his one-year contract with Village having expired.

Last season Morton's men hoisted the the Charity Cup, Dudley Eve and Friendship Trophy, and followed up this season with the league and FA Cup double.

And although no decision has been taken about his future role at the club, the coach has made it perfectly clear that he would love to stay.

"I just couldn't see myself coaching anywhere else, " he said. "They (Village) make it so much easier for me to do my job and I know a lot of other things are being taken care of in all areas.

"It's a comfortable position, especially coaching the players and the youthful talent that we have which seems to be unlimited at times. It's a coach's dream.

"Right now as far as coaching is concerned, my mind remains right here at Village. I would like to continue and I'm looking forward to it."

Village president Sherwin Dill couldn't be reached for comment, although it remains highly likely that Morton will still be in charge when Village begin next season's campaign.

Recapping Sunday's FA Cup triumph over Town, a proud Morton pointed out how he was pleased by his players' performance on the pitch just a week after they had been beaten by PHC in the Friendship final.

"I think that the guys thoroughly deserved to win," he said. "When we bring our `A' game to the pitch, teams have to be prepared for us, we know that we can play.

"I think that the conditions suited us because we like to play a passing game, a ground ball game, and even with the wind in our faces we were able to do that at certain times. With the wind at our backs in the second half, we knew that it would be even more difficult for them (Dandy Town)."

With the double secured, Morton has already warned his players that next year will be no walk in the park.

"It's going to be harder come next season," he said. "We have made our bed hard and now we will have to lie in it. They (Village) achieved a lot this year and I hope that they can live up to the same expectations next year."

Meanwhile, Village's latest title presented outgoing technical director Kenny Thompson with the perfect farewell gift.

And Thompson, who is due to relinquish the top post at the club on May 1 when he takes over as BFA director of youth development, has encouraged his former players to "take it to a higher level".

"What a way to finish off," he exclaimed just moments after Sunday's memorable win. "Last week we were very disappointed at not winning the Friendship Trophy and having a chance today at the triple.

"I talked to Scott (Morton) and he was calm about the situation, noting how it was gone and that we had to now concentrate on getting the double.

"It was a fantastic performance, a very dominating win. We showed up with the intensity that we lacked last week, and by winning the double today, the guys proved that they are now ready to take it to a higher level."

BFA chairman of marketing and special events Craig Tyrrell has confirmed that the season-ending All-Star matches, originally scheduled for this Sunday at the National Sports Centre, have been scrapped citing a lack of sponsorship for the venture.

However, he said that plans were already in the pipeline to have the event staged next season,complete with an all new format.

"We are definitely looking forward to having the event next season with a few changes," he said yesterday.

Tyrrell assured that the BFA's soccer awards ceremony was still on, though a venue has yet to be determined.

The ceremony is tentatively scheduled for April 27.