National team coach Kyle Lightbourne will also coach Premier Division PHC next season.

Lightbourne rose to local football stardom at Stadium Lane in the early 1990s before progressing to the English professional ranks at Walsall, Coventry City and Stoke City.

After retiring as a professional in 2004 at Macclesfield Town, he successfully completed a UEAFA ?B? coaching course in the UK before succeeding Kenny Thompson as the Island?s national coach the same year.

The 37-year-old Warwick resident?s immediate task is to retain club trainer Ellie Wilson and name a new assistant.

Lightbourne, who has signed a one-year deal with the Warwick-based club, will be hoping to restore Zebras to some of their former glory.

Predecessor Mark Wade stood down at the end of another disappointing season which saw the perennial cup giants finish fifth in the league and fail to qualify for a domestic cup final.

Lightbourne, who looks set to have his contract as national coach extended for at least another year, insists his new role at PHC will not interfere with his job with Bermuda Football Association.

In contrast, he believes it will be an asset.

?A lot of the knowledge I?ve acquired in England I want to try it out on a week-to-week basis at PHC,? he said.

?I want to be there to assist and give the players confidence to perform at a consistently higher level. And I also hope to get PHC back to the top of local football.

?I thought Mark (Wade) did an excellent job and the team steadily improved under his leadership. But now I think it?s time for the club to move to the next level and try to get back to the glory days.?

Lightbourne, who assisted Wade behind the scenes last season, reckons Zebras have enormous potential among their roster which includes several overseas-based college students.

?The only thing that really concerns me with the present team is their desire, willingness and hunger for success,? he said.

?I know when I was coming through the ranks we all wanted to win.?

Jack Castle is among a short list of candidates for the assistant coach?s position vacated by Eddie Dowling, according to club sources.

The Marischal (Mop) Astwood Benefit Matches take centre stage tonight at the National Sports Centre.

Beginning at 7.00, Bermuda?s Under-20 national squad ? coached by Lightbourne ? lock horns with triple crown champions North Village while at 9 p.m. PHC and Social Club?s past warriors will battle it out in the nightcap.