national team player and coach -- although not until sometime after the Caribbean Shell/Umbro Cup in February.

Aldwyn Savery, chairman of Bermuda Football Association's Coaching Committee, yesterday confirmed that Thompson had been added to the squad of 31 as a player, having impressed newly-appointed coach Clyde Best with his playing ability.

"Clyde was impressed with Kenny very early after having seen him when he (Best) arrived back home a few weeks ago and wanted to add him to the squad,'' said Savery.

"We have been talking about adding a few other players as well, but Kenny is the only new face so far. We'll have to wait and see what the response is from the players who have been invited, see who signs up, and then we can determine what other steps to take.'' Thompson was one who many thought might have been called upon to assist Best after Gary Darrell, who has officially been named Best's full-time assistant, indicated he could only give partial help.

Although still an influential player with Somerset Eagles, Thompson has more interest in coaching these days and is concentrating on the development of youngsters -- something he does on a full-time basis while holding clinics on weekends and holidays at White Hill Field.

The BFA's interest in Thompson came to the player as a surprise, especially since he hadn't been involved in the national programme since 1992.

"I didn't expect to hear from them as a player. There was always hope that there would be a position open for me to coach or assist at a national level.

I was really surprised that they approached me at this time,'' he said.

"I was last with the national programme as a player four years ago, but it was cut short because I had to return to school at Howard University.'' While Thompson is still keen to represent his country, he says he would accept a role as a coaching assistant if asked.

But Savery said the BFA were looking at Thompson primarily as a player right now with the emphasis being on building a team as quickly as possible for the Shell/Umbro Cup.

He explained that the BFA were fully aware of Thompson's coaching desires and ability, hinting that he might be invited to take another role in the future.

"He is not being taken on as a coach at the present time, our responsibility right now is to simply prepare a squad and this is all we are doing,'' said Savery. "Mr. Best and Mr. Darrell will prepare the current squad. We will invite all of the coaches with the qualifications to become national coaches down the road and present our overall coaching programme to them.

"The BFA are well aware of Thompson's qualifications, his vision and his philosophy in regards to coaching. We have discussed it with him. But so far we haven't determined any preference to anybody to our national programme.

That will come later.'' KENNY THOMPSON -- back in the national squad as a player although his ambitions lie in coaching.