Dandy Town coach Andrew Bascome appears determined to stick to his decision to retire at the end of the season, but many believe the 39-year-old still has much more to offer the sport.

Two of the Island's other leading soccer coaches, Mark Wade of PHC and Somerset's Mark Trott, who is also the national senior team coach, say the former North Village star will be sadly missed.

"Basically I feel that we as a footballing country have yet to use Andrew's expertise to the fullest potential for what he can bring to the game," said Wade.

"However, it (his retirement) actually points to a bigger problem. In Bermuda where football is such a big part of the community, our football scholars, for a lack of a better term, aren't able to make a contribution to the sport and make ends meet at the same time."

During interviews with Bascome, the veteran often commented on the difficulties associated with coaching part-time and trying to put "food on the table."

Wade said he hoped the problem could be addressed in the near future, believing that some coaches could be employed full-time.

"Some of it may be that he could've got burnt out, having started playing Premier Division at such a young age," added Wade. "He also started coaching when he was 27 and now when most coaches are entering their prime, he is leaving us at 39."

Wade said that although Bascome appeared to have made up his mind about stepping down he hoped Bermuda football hadn't seen the last of him, adding: "I hope that at some point in the future he finds a way . . . or we can find a way to utilise his talents, if not at club level then definitely at the national level."

Meanwhile, Trott, Bascome's predecessor at Town, also paid tribute to a coach he decsribed as "a brilliant tactician".

"I think that it is sad that Andrew is going to retire because he has a brilliant coaching brain," Trott said. "He is surely going to be missed.

"Throughout the years, Andrew has given me a lot of insight on the tactical side of the game, player development, understanding players and some of the experiences he has encountered as an international player."

Trott said it was always a pleasure to discuss football with Bascome, who now plans to help in the development of his young son who has expressed a desire to play professionally.

"He is definitely going to be a miss," said Trott. "But you can't knock him for wanting to spend time with his son because his family obviously comes first. In fact, you have to admire him for making that decision."