When Dandy Town step out for next month's FA Cup final at the National Stadium, it will be a bitter-sweet occasion.

While the Hornets will be seeking to collect a second FA trophy, after all is said and done they will be without coach Andrew Bascome who intends to make the cup final his last match.

“I feel that I have given it a good try and that I've put something back into the game,” said Bascome, who will retire after more than two decades involvement in the game as both player and coach.

“I have established some good relationships with many players over the years, that's what I will probably miss more than any other thing. I thought about giving it another go but it just isn't there anymore.

“I honestly feel that I've given everything back into soccer and I don't have any regrets looking back at what I have achieved in the sport.

“I'm blessed to have been of some benefit to many of the players I've coached along the way.”

After enjoying coaching stints at North Village, Somerset, St. David's and Town, one of Bascome's proudest memories is of his contribution to the development of Shaun Goater before the now Manchester City striker left Village for Old Trafford to join Manchester United.

“He (Goater) is like a son to me. He practically lived with me. I am proud to have been an inspiration to Shaun. I put the time in with Shaun just like Woolly (Baxter) put the time in with me,” he said, adding: “Now that I have a son, I have an opportunity to do it all over again.”

Brought up through the junior ranks at Village, Bascome's natural talent was harnessed and nurtured by players such as Wendell (Joe) Trott, Ralph (Gumbo) Bean and Baxter.

“I was a youth who gave everything that I had. I often wondered why the other guy on the opposition team carried out his work better than me, and I worked hard on improving,” he said.

“I know what it takes for a player to reach a high level because those players put the time in with me. Those times were like magic, everything was all about football. I never hesitated to clean some of the older guys' boots.

“Now my son says that he wants to turn professional, so I have to put the time in with him.

“It takes a lot of hard work but I have to put in the time with him. I've done it for others, now it's time for my own. I can't turn my back on him.”

Ironically, the 39 year-old is set to quit the sport at the same venue where he announced his arrival back in 1980.

On as a second half substitute for the Red Devils against Hotels in a Martonmere Cup Final consolation match, an innocent 17-year-old Bascome made his mark by scoring in dramatic fashion during a 4-0 demolishing of Alan Peacock's side.

Bascome captivated his audience whenever he came into possession of the ball, illuminating the pitch with his trademark passing accuracy, anticipation, cunning and composure.

It was only a matter of time before success would arrive in the form of international exposure with the senior national team and several winners' medals with his beloved Village and later with Boulevard.

However, in a tragic twist of fate, Bascome suffered a career threatening knee injury at the age of 22 during the 1985 Martonmere Cup semi-final match at BAA Field against the same Hotels unit Village had beaten 5-0 two weeks previously.

Many still feel that horrific tackle on the talented youngster was deliberate as five days prior to that incident St. George's' star striker Clevie Wade had voiced his concerns in a Royal Gazette interview after receiving similar harsh treatment from Hotels' Robert Calderon (current BFA Coaching Committee chairman) and Alan Philpot.

The incidents prompted an outcry from numerous members of the public via the Gazette's Sports Mailbox.

Bascome suffered extensive damage to his right knee that required major reconstruction but he would make a return a year and a half later to score Village's opening goal against Somerset Eagles in a Friendship Trophy semi-final replay the Red Devils won 2-1.

Having now enjoyed success both as a player and as Garrett (Punchy) Dill and Larry Smith's coaching assistants, Bascome went on to become a successful coach in his own right at Boulevard where he would win more major titles.

Now, after having won all of the sport's major honours as a player and a coach, the veteran is calling it a day to concentrate solely on the development of his son.

“My commitment to the game has been great, but now I have a family and an even greater commitment,” he said.

“My children's development is more important to me right now, I have to put my time in with them. I have just put so much time into football, it is time to move on.”

Bascome leaves the game with a Bermuda Football Association B coaching licence, a United States Soccer Federation coaching licence and is also the proud recipient of a San Paulo (Brazil) State coaching licence.

When asked if there was anything associated with football that was yet to be fulfilled, Bascome paused for a moment before stating: “Yes, there is one thing. (Trainer and TV presenter) Nick Jones promised me a trip to Jamaica if we (Village) won the 1989 FA Cup final against PHC. We won the cup but I'm still here!”