Mishael Paynter has been installed as the new coach of Dudley Eve Trophy holders St George’s Colts.

St George’s Cricket Club president Neil Paynter confirmed that the former club cricketer and president has taken over from Drewonde Bascome, who parted ways with the Premier Division club at the end of the last season.

“Mishael Paynter is officially our coach for the 2026-27 season and we wish him the best,” Paynter told The Royal Gazette.

St George’s suffered the heaviest loss of players among the Premier Division clubs during Bermuda Football Association’s summer transfer window after losing the services of 20 players, including siblings Kashe and Blaiz Hall, Jamori Jones-Tyrell, Jonas Schroder, Liam Evans, Ramsay Soutter, Oyinde Bascome, Benjamin Osset, Malachi Trott, Isai Gibbons, Troy Hall Jr, Maquel Nisbett-Tankard and coach Bascome to Premier Division rivals Devonshire Cougars, Dandy Town, North Village, PHC and Somerset Trojans.

They were also unable to lure any of the 105 Premier Division players who opted for transfers during the summer to Wellington Oval for the upcoming season, but did add David Signor from Robin Hood, who won promotion to the Premier Division but subsequently withdrew from competition.

Club president Paynter said it was “unfortunate” to lose that amount of players all at once.

“Teams lose players every year but the amount of players that left is very unfortunate, particularly as we are still in the Premier Division, we won a trophy and were very competitive last season. I just felt over time we would’ve got better and better,” he said.

As for former coach Bascome’s decision to leave club, the former St George’s, Dandy Town and Bermuda defender said: “To be honest I wasn’t really given a reason as to why he left except that he wanted to play.

“I didn’t know that he was leaving, but I know that he didn’t want to coach for a fact. He told me that he just wants to concentrate on playing.”

Bascome has parted ways with St George’s two seasons after replacing Jarreau Hayward, who left the club after guiding the East End club to their first FA Cup win during the 2023-24 campaign.

Then St George’s Cricket Club president Mishael Paynter said the decision to replace Hayward was done in the club’s “best interest”. Hayward has since been appointed as head coach of Dandy Town, earning the prestigious coach of the year award after guiding the Hornets to Premier Division and Friendship Trophy honours last season.

The highlight during Bascome’s tenure at Wellington Oval came last season when he led St George’s to the Dudley Eve Trophy title after they edged Cougars 2-1 in a tight final at Devonshire Recreation Club last November.

In the wake of the mass exodus of players, Paynter said the club’s top main objective is retaining their top-flight status.

“I feel the top priority right now is obviously remaining in the Premier Division and remaining competitive in that league,” he said.

“It will be a challenge but I think with the players that we do have left and some coming on board that we will be OK.

“I am very pleased with the individuals who are training. We have some senior players who have stepped up to the plate and really organised this programme that I see positive things coming from.

“I like to look forward and not dwell on what has happened. We know what has happened over the last three years but we just need to put a programme back together that’s going to have some longevity to it, and I just wish all the players, the coaching staff and managers all the best this season.”

Paynter also urged the St George’s community to rally around the team as they set about achieving their objectives.

“I would like for the St George’s community to support the team because I think the support in a positive way is going to be very important for these players this season,” he said.

“I look forward to the community coming out and supporting this team to ensure that we are successful in our goals.”