Andrew Bascome has agreed to stay on as coach of Devonshire Cougars, finally putting an end to rumours the former midfield schemer was headed back to his roots at North Village.

Bascome took over the helm of the Premier Division club at the end of last season after he had been retained by Cougars as an assistant coach mid-way through the 2003-04 campaign.

The former Red Devil is due to meet with club officials at Devonshire Recreation Club tonight to put the finishing touches to what could pan out to be a lengthy spell at the Den.

Bascome could turn out to be the missing piece to the jigsaw puzzle of a Cougars side full of promise but still yet to deliver.

Former coach Albert Smith underwent surgery to his left leg earlier this year before relinquishing the post he held for several seasons. It was Smith who guided Cougars to 2001-02 Martonmere Cup glory ? the club?s first-ever major domestic title.

Last year saw Cougars finish as bridesmaids in the Martonmere, league and FA Cup.

But all of that may become a thing of the past as there are many who feel Bascome is capable of getting the team over the final hurdle.

?Football is what I love and the enthusiasm is there again. I spent a bit of time at Devonshire Rec. last year and it was encouraging. I know it is a big challenge for me but I am up for the challenge and I want to teach,? said Bascome.

Bascome retired from domestic football at the end of the 2002-03 season at Dandy Town.

He added: ?I am familiar with the club and they have some good players who are committed. But they haven?t won anything and haven?t really had no success and I feel that I can work with them and they have a good facility.?

The coach has also invested heavily into the future, having purchased $20,000 in practice apparatus and equipment.

?It?s important that you put in place the necessary equipment to make training more enjoyable for the players. It?s important to try and capture their imagination and try to make progress much easier,? Bascome explained.

?When you don?t have it (equipment), it limits progress. But now we have everything in place.?

Meanwhile, confirming Bascome?s appointment as coach was Devonshire Recreation Club secretary Ellsworth Christopher.

?Andrew?s football knowledge is second to none on the Island and so to have him onboard is certainly a plus for us,? he said.

?It?s a win-win situation for both parties as we will benefit from the fact he is now with us and he will be provided with a comfortable platform on which to expand upon his various football theories and philosophy.

?And I believe Andrew is one of the few people on the Island who possesses the ability to get our football team over the final hurdle.?