Daizhari Tucker is making steady strides as a coach in the English non-League football.

The Bermudian is the head coach of Southern Football League Division One South side Worcester Raiders, and has already enjoyed success after guiding the club to an historic promotion from Step 5 during the 2025-26 campaign.

“In the 2024-25 season we just missed out on play-offs in Step 5 by five points so we knew we can compete,” Tucker told The Royal Gazette.

“Last season we finished in fifth in the play-offs and ended up beating local rivals Droitwich Spa 4-1 in the final to get promoted with over 1,000 people in attendance.

“For me it’s definitely my favourite achievement as we made history for the club. We are now playing in the highest level in the club’s history.”

Raiders made even more club history after prevailing 3-1 at home against Larkhall Athletic to record their first win in Step 4, the eighth tier in the English football pyramid, in their season opener last weekend.

“It was a really good start,” Tucker said.

“We don’t know what to expect as it’s a bit of an unknown for us. But that also means not many clubs know about us as well, so we wanted to play our own way.

“We kept reminding ourselves we got promoted for a reason, so we just wanted to be ourselves. And the lads showed hunger that we are a team to worry about in the league.

“But overall it was very pleasing and a good foundation to push on.”

Coaching was perhaps the furthest thing on Tucker’s mind growing up playing as a goalkeeper with Somerset Eagles.

“I started playing a game called Football Manager with a few friends when I was about 12 and once I turned 15 I just thought why not give it a try — and I haven’t looked back ever since,” he recalled.

“I grew up playing with Somerset Eagles then once I turned 15 I was focusing more on the coaching side and learning the game that way.”

Tucker got his first opportunity to coach at National League outfit Kidderminster Harriers.

“I was playing in Kidderminster Harriers academy before I took the work experience then coaching role,” he explained.

“I was coaching at Kidderminster Harriers in their academy as an under-19 coach that was originally as work experience while I was at university, but they said I was doing so well they wanted to keep me longer.”

The 27-year-old then ended up at Worcester City Reserves for a season which proved highly successful as the club won the County Cup and finished runners-up in the league.

Tucker also had a one-year stint at Newent Town AFC before joining Worcester Raiders, where he enjoys coaching.

“It’s very welcoming and family-oriented,” he said.

“As soon as I joined the club they have looked out for me, gave me responsibilities to help me grow and have valued my opinion. They have become a family away from home.”

Tucker said the transition to coaching at this level was an “eye-opening experience”.

“The basics of football are all the same, but I’ve learnt that it’s adapting to the mental side of things; whether it’s pressure from a bigger crowd, dealing with different personalities and handling expectations,” he added.

While happy with the progress he has made thus far, Tucker’s ambitions extend far beyond the English non-league ranks.

“My goals are to get into it full time for now then make the next step in getting as high as possible,” he said.

“The ultimate dream is to be coaching in one of the big five leagues in Europe, represent our people well and put us on the map just a little bit more.”