Somerset Trojans coach, Norbert Simons, has slammed his players saying they give little regard for the fine traditions of the club.

The comments may be regarded as a parting shot by the coach who said he was considering retiring from the post following the team's last gasp survival act on Friday.

The Trojans, who finished second bottom of the Premier Division, managed to see off First Division Ireland Rangers 4-2 over two legs in the Bermuda Football Association's promotion/relegation play-offs.

Despite the victory, which kept Somerset in the top flight and condemned Rangers to another season in the second tier, Simons was far from happy.

The coach, who is facing a BFA disciplinary rap for an alleged indiscretion earlier this season, criticised the Association following the match saying he did not believe the play-offs were fair on the First Division side.

"I think that we deserved on our performances to win those two games, but I really feel for Ireland Rangers because under normal circumstances we should have been relegated,'' he said.

The Trojans, once labelled `Silver City' for their trophy winning prowess, flirted with the drop for the most of the season, enjoying some good performances against the better teams but faring badly against supposed weak opponents.

Criticising his squad, Simons said: "I think it's really important for Somerset to be in the Premier Division. I think that what problems we have we need to sort them out in the Premier Division.

"After all, I think until we get our act together football in Bermuda is still going to suffer.'' He went on: "I think that our players are not prepared to accept the responsibility of being one of the premier clubs in Bermuda as far as football goes and sport goes period.

"I don't think they have accepted that challenge in the last five, six or seven years. We don't have easy games, primarily because of our history, and we haven't embraced our history.'' If, as seems likely Simons goes there will definitely be big changes afoot for the Trojans. Fellow coach Gary (Tuba) Mallory was banned for one season by the BFA for bringing the game into disrepute.

Mallory was brought before Island soccer chiefs in March in connection with an incident on February 11 against Devonshire Colts.

He was dismissed from the bench by referee Richard Knight and was then said to have verbally abused and threatened the official during and after the match.

Simons' hearing relates to the same incident.

The pair's contracts are both up for discussion by Somerset officials this summer and it would be a fair assumption that new faces will be brought in to try and turn the club around.

Rumours surfaced in January that former national team technical director and West Ham United ace Clyde Best might be set to take over the hot seat in partnership with Mark Trott.

Both denied the rumours at the time, but Trott did not exactly rule out a move into club management.

However, Trott was handed the post of senior national coach by the BFA several weeks ago, so whether he would want to take yet another role is questionable.

Norbert Simons: Trojans coach lambasted his struggling team.