Evergreen Hamilton Parish goalkeeper Nigel Burgess is pumped up for what will be his 28th season in senior football on the eve of his team’s First Division opener against visiting Southampton Rangers at Wellington Oval tomorrow afternoon.

The 44-year-old’s overwhelming passion for the beautiful game and desire to help his club achieve their objectives has not diminished over time and this season will be no exception for the experienced stopper who is showing few signs of slowing down.

“I have been playing at the senior level since I was 16 and I just love the game,” Burgess told The Royal Gazette.

“I love the game and my son [Carter] is a youth footballer. He looks forward to me playing as well.”

If all goes accordingly, Burgess hopes to swap positions and play outfield whenever possible during the season.

“I am hoping to change positions this year; I am looking forward to playing out on the field,” he said.

“Hopefully I can play up top and looking forward to scoring goals rather than stopping them.”

Burgess is no stranger to playing outfield.

“I played outfield in a few games when we was in the First Division previously and had a couple of games as striker with Bermuda Hogges as well,” he said.

“I know the game quite well. I think every goalkeeper thinks they can score better than every striker and I think I am one of them as well.”

Burgess and his Parish team-mates endured mixed fortunes last season having lifted the Dudley Eve Trophy, the club’s first major title, and taken the dreaded plunge into the second tier.

As a result of the club’s meteoric demise, Hot Peppers first lost the services of coach Sergio Goater and later 16 players who opted for greener pastures in the Bermuda Football Association’s summer transfer window.

However, with a new season comes new promise and Burgess and his fellow colleagues are hoping to quickly turn the club’s flagging fortunes around.

“We did lose a significant amount of players but picked up quite a few as well, so we are hoping to have a productive season with our new batch of players and also with our older players, who have continued to play or are coming back to help support the team,” he said.

“The older players, like myself are hoping to support the younger players that are with the club.”

Parish, who are presently under the care of interim coach Makhail Saltus, took the plunge last season along with Wolves, who are away to hosts Somerset Trojans at Somerset Cricket Club tomorrow.

St David’s Warriors will host Somerset Eagles at Lords in tomorrow’s remaining First Division fixture.

Meanwhile, Premier Division action continues today with Young Men’s Social Club hosting Paget Lions at Police Field (3pm).

In the remaining top flight matches, Devonshire Colts host Dandy Town at Police Field; St George’s Colts are at home to promoted Boulevard at Wellington Oval; while X-Roads Warriors face PHC Zebras at Lord’s.

Hornets and Zebras have yet to be beaten in league and cup play so far this season.