Devonshire Recreation Club confirmed yesterday that Andrew Bascome was still head coach of the club?s Premier Division football team.

Bascome, due to fly to France tomorrow to begin an ?intensive coaching course?, has not attended any pre-season training sessions at the Den ? fuelling rumours the top coach had severed ties with the Premier Division cub and taken on a new commitment at promoted St.David?s.

?Nothing has changed from last year. Andrew has gone on a course overseas and we look forward to having him back when he returns,? club secretary Ellsworth Christopher told .

Bascome did not return calls yesterday.

The former North Village, Boulevard and Bermuda midfielder coached Cougars to a maiden Premier Division championship and Friendship Trophy in 2004-05 and a Dudley Eve Champions Cup title earlier this year.

Cougars captain Kwame Steede has doubled up as player/coach in Bascome?s absence, and is currently being assisted by Gary (Tuba) Mallory.

?Training has been coming along nicely and we are looking forward to the new season. I?m happy with everything that has been going on and as far as I?m concerned we have gone from strength to strength,? Mallory said.

Cougars lost the services of forwards Aljame Zuill and Heys Wolfe to Devonshire Colts and Dandy Town respectively over the off-season.

However, versatile players Kori Goddard and Shaki Minors have returned to bolster an attack containing lethal striker Raymond Beach who has shed a few pounds during the summer break.

?We have a young team that continues to come of age and are 100 percent committed and ready for the season,? Mallory continued. ?This team is capable of beating anybody on any given day and can go as far as they want to.

?Many consider us the underdogs this season and are predicting we won?t achieve anything. So there?s really no pressure on us and that suits us just fine. Just don?t count us out.?