Hamilton Parish find themselves the odd ones out.

The start of the 2003-2004 soccer season is rapidly approaching they have the distinction of being the only Premier Division team without a coach.

One of two teams winning promotion from the First Division last season - Southampton Rangers being the other - Parish have been forced to look for a replacement for Neil (Diamond) Robinson who has decided to concentrate on being only a player this season after playing the dual role of player-coach last season.

Club president Joe Lathan Jr. is not pushing the panic button, claiming they will be naming a coach next month and that the club will be a force in the Premier Division this term.

In the meantime, he said they were training hard, putting the emphasis on being physically fit which is the real priority.

"It's true that we don't have a coach right now but we are still working on it," he said. "Actually I am waiting on a call from somebody right now, things are looking up. I have good people who want to coach the team," he said, adding the club wanted the right man for the job. "I don't want us to go up and come right back down, I want to see Parish make a statement in the Premier Division."

Parish have had a few pre-season matches, their most recent coming against Somerset Trojans last Sunday when they beat the westenders 3-2.

"We are hard at working on the physical side of things, but my boys will be ready when the season kicks off," said Lathan. "I think they basically need just three weeks in September to find a coach, that would be sufficient time."

Work commitments have forced Robinson to concentrate solely on playing. However, if he is able to return to top form of his playing days with North Village and Boulevard, Parish will have no problems in midfield.

They were fortunate to pick up forwards Vincent Minors from Wolves and Yusef Pitt from Devonshire Cougars, but it remains to be seen if the few transfers will be sufficient to make them a formidable squad.

The other Premier Division teams do not have Parish's worries when it comes to coaches, even promoted Southampton Rangers are sound in this department with Nick Jones returning.

The other coaches confirmed are Scott Morton (North Village), Devarr Boyles (Dandy Town), Albert Smith (Cougars), Ray Jones (Devonshire Colts) and John Rebello (Boulevard). Meanwhile, it is understood that Somerset Eagles and Gary (Tuba) Mallory may be joining forces at White Hill.