The skills that have made David Bascome one of Bermuda's highest profile soccer stars will now be passed on to a new generation.

Bascome, who is the Harrisburg Heat's all-time leading goal and points scorer, has been made player-coach of the Pennsylvania-based side.

The appointment follows a summer of turmoil for the club, following the collapse of the National Professional Soccer League.

Bascome signed a new deal with the newly formed Major Indoor Soccer League recently to remain with the Heat and he believes his new title is a fine achievement.

"It's great honour. It's going to look good on my resume, but it's a great honour for them to even consider it," he said.

"They did mention it to me last year and I turned it down. When they asked, it was a week before the season started. I told them there was a lot of things I had to consider because I am not ready to stop playing yet. What they wanted me to do is not so much me taking over the team, but be a mediator between the players and the coach which I have been doing for years.

"They thought it would a great idea for me to step in and I am hoping it all goes well and we have a good start."

Bascome said part of his remit would be to cast his eye over some of the homegrown talent.

"It gives me an opportunity to take a look at some players in Bermuda, especially the younger ones," he said. "My attention will be focused on the 16 and 17 year-olds, to give them the tools that will help them go forward, one to be a professional player and two to get themselves ready for college."

While emphasising his desire to keep playing, he said he felt he could bring a lot to the Heat in an off-the-pitch capacity.

"As an assistant coach I think off the field I can be beneficial to the team. I have been playing this game for a while now and this is my 10th year going on with the Heat, 11 years in total," he said.

"With my drive to want to win a championship, my drive to win, my motivation, that I am up for every game and am there at every training session, those are the tools that they are looking for me to pass on to the other players."