An emotional Boulevard have vowed to dedicate this season to Shaki Crockwell and keep the memory of their late inspirational skipper alive.

Blazers have refused to let the dark cloud of his murder hang over them and instead use the tragic loss as a source of motivation as they prepare for life without the heartbeat of their team.

They are scheduled to face Devonshire Cougars in the Martonmere Cup without Crockwell for the first time this weekend.

"The loss of Shaki (Crockwell) has brought our players closer together," said Simon Howes of Boulevard's coaching committee. "He was not only a teammate but a friend and the players want to achieve things for Shaki this season.

"We would love to win the trophies Shaki would have been striving for us to win. We will dedicate this season to him, as he was such a big part of this football club.

"He was our leader and inspiration and will spur us on although he is sadly no longer with us. Shaki has left a big void as both a player and personality but we've the players who can help fill it. He is in our hearts and minds."

Last season was bittersweet for Boulevard who finished third in the Premier Division and runners-up in the FA Cup, losing to Devonshire Colts, then a league below. It is a defeat that still rankles with Blazers.

"Last season was strange as we finished third in the league and runners-up in the FA Cup, but still felt empty as we didn't win silverware," said Howes.

"Boulevard are historically a team which are always in the running for major trophies.

"Although we've lost about eight players in releases, only one or two players would have played an important part for us this season, our nucleus is the same."

Fellow member of Boulevard's coaching committee Troy Smith blames complacency for their 2-0 FA Cup blip to Colts. He also believes Blazers posses the players to plunder the goals Crockwell inevitably would have.

"Defeat against Colts in the FA Cup was hard to take because we were the favourites and we got complacent. Colts were in the First Division at that time and we didn't perform in the final, it was a little humiliating.

"That defeat was tough to take but it should spur us on this season. Without Shaki we still have goals in our team. Angelo Simmons is one of many players capable of scoring goals for us.

"He's a very talented player and has been part of the club since he was a boy."

Boulevard are scheduled to play Cougars at the BAA Field at 7pm on Saturday, while North Village take on Dandy Town at 9pm.