Amidst the hustle bustle on Frog Lane where a new National Sports Centre is slowly taking shape, neighbouring Devonshire Recreation Club are working on a few developments of their own as the recently-crowned Martonmere champions look to build on that triumph.

For club president and former Cougars' forward Phillip Clarke, the challenge is to turn Devonshire Rec. into a successful club not only through performances on the pitch but in a way which will meet the needs of the parish community.

"The club have taken on a new transformation," said Clarke. "From a managerial prospective, we have good collaboration between the senior and junior members and the outcome has been successful. Everyone brings something to the table.

"With the completion of renovations to our upper and lower halls, we are looking to implement more objectives to further enhance our club. We are working within our financial capacities and things are shaping up."

High on the president's priority list is an immediate reactivation of the club's junior football programme which will help the club retain talented youth players.

Clarke admits the Martonmere Cup victory and their climb up the Premier League table represents a major turn-around in fortunes as the club have often struggled just to survive.

"One of the problems we faced in the past was the fact that we never seriously put in the necessary commitment, meaning players didn't dedicate themselves during pre-season training to get the required fitness needed to stay in the top division.

"I've found that in the past two seasons with the inclusion of younger players we have tried to work along with them and get them committed.

"It's beginning to pay dividends as we've now become more competitive in the Premier Division.

"I feel that we have the talent and it's just now a matter of how far the guys want to go with this.

"We have to start looking at becoming a winner and having a winning attitude, but along with that comes discipline, commitment and dedication. You only reap what you sow."

Team player and assistant coach Shawn Smith knows a thing or two about dedication as a former Bermuda national team defender. He's become a pillar at the Devonshire club, coming up through the ranks.

"It's very rewarding for us in terms of the effort past players and myself have put in throughout the years at the club," said Smith.

"We have never been successful as a cup team or even in the league, so it's nice to have finally achieved some reward.

"To hear the final whistle blow during the Martonmere final was a relief and it was rewarding to be on a winning team.

"This just didn't occur overnight, we've been in the rebuilding process for several years, recruiting young players, some of whom had never graced the pitch before. So it just goes to show what talent can be found out there.

"Our pre-season was geared towards the Martonmere and now that we have met our short-term goal anything else would be a bonus. From here we will be taking things one step at a time.

"This bodes well for the entire community and it's some reward for all the former players of the club, players like Arnold West, Donnie Hill and Cyril (Dago) Steede to mention a few.

"With the ongoing renovations and our achievements on the pitch , we have an opportunity to build on this, we have a youthful team and management, there's an AGM coming up and it remains to be seen who will be at the helm. But we still have a young committee that's instrumental to our success," added Smith.

For team captain Wali Salaam, who along with Smith has been around the club for many years, there's a feeling of relief.

"It's been a long struggle," he said. "It seemed before as though we could never assemble a good crop of players.

"The harmony of this team is unparalleled. That's what carries us today and also the fact that the majority of the team reside in the Devonshire area. The vibes are great," said Salaam.

"We are all our brother's keeper, this keeps the team unified and unity is our strength.

"The win in the Martonmere was a sign of relief for many of our senior fans in the community who had been around to witness those heart-breaking losses, when we used to make final appearances and come up short.

"It's been a long struggle, but it's good to finally bring a trophy home and this one is for the entire community and also for everyone who ever donned the green and gold of Cougars."