Young Men’s Social Club are going all out next season to prove they belong in the Premier Division after being reinstated to the top flight without having to kick a ball.

Bluebirds head coach Marcelos Thomas said the club were not merely trying to retain their Premier Division status during the upcoming season but rather establish themselves as a force in the league.

“I don’t teach my players survival; I teach my players to compete,” Thomas said.

“We are not there because we are trying to just stay there; we are trying to be a part of the ethos of what [the Premier Division] is.

“It’s not just to stay and hope for the best and try to get a point here and there. No, we’re trying to compete and state our place, so there should never be a conversation about whether Social Club is up or down. I want Social Club to be a staple of the Premier Division, so that’s the focus for us.”

Social Club were relegated with Boulevard last season but have accepted an invitation from Bermuda Football Association to remain in the top flight after promoted Robin Hood withdrew from the league for the upcoming campaign as they undertake a comprehensive period of restructuring and organisational development.

“I had the conversation with the players that I’m going to push to have promotion by February. Then when this came out, I was like this is the earliest promotion I’ve ever had,” Thomas said.

“The guys have been training since before Cup Match so they are tuned in more knowing that they are going to be playing back in the Premier Division. The energy around the club is pretty high right now just with the anticipation.

“It was a bit hard on us with the transfer window because of the uncertainty of what was happening. Players were not sure if they would come and play First Division or if they would play Premier Division, so that was the hardest part.

“But just getting everybody to believe in the process was what I leaned on in keeping players and trying to attack some other players to the club.

“We only lost Clay Darrell but we did pick up a few players that can assist us this season so it wasn’t really traumatic. We just have to work with what we’ve got and some new guys will join later in the second transfer window. We’ll go from there.”

Bluebirds improved towards the end of last season but it was not enough for them to avoid taking the plunge into the First Division as goalkeeping issues and player unavailability took its toll.

“We had some club issues as far as our goalkeeper and players that couldn’t fully commit due to work and things like that, so it became difficult,” Thomas said.

“Even when we did strike form it still became a little bit difficult as we were in games where we’re scoring four goals and the other team is scoring five. Those things are always tough but we are looking to correct those errors and push forward.”

Thomas has added responsibility this season having taken over the helm of the team entirely after sharing coaching duties with Michael Smith during the previous campaign.

The former Somerset Trojans midfielder said the change had been “seamless”, which he owed to having already spent a season with Bluebirds.

“It was an easy transition going from where I was to where I am now, so it hasn’t been anything outlandish,” he said.

“The players are used to me so it’s not that teething process that most coaches would have joining a club or getting a new position.”

Smith advised the club of his intentions to step down for what he termed as “personal and professional” reasons at the beginning of last season but has vowed to continue assisting them and working behind the scenes.

“I’m not closing the door on my coaching career but I just need some time to sort out some things,” Smith said.

“Coaching is a serious commitment and I felt if I couldn’t give the team and the club that, then it was time to step down. Anyone who knows me knows I am Young Men’s Social Club to the bone, so I won’t be going anywhere. I’ll just be in the shadows helping the club move in a positive direction.

“I’d like to thank the club executives, my staff and the players for trusting me over the past three seasons; it was truly a wonderful experience.”