Kyle Lightbourne and Jack Castle are now firm candidates to take over coaching duties at PHC Zebras next season.

The duo previously featured in Leroy (Nibs) Lewis? all-conquering squad that reached the quarter-finals of the Concacaf Club Championships in the 1980s.

Mark Wade, the club?s head coach for the past four years, resigned last weekend following Zebras? FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Dandy Town.

After winning just about every local major cup title up for grabs, Lightbourne embarked on a professional career in the UK while the outspoken Castle enjoyed coaching stints at Zebras and Vasco Da Gama ? where he was met with cup success ? and also had a brief tenure at Wolves.

Others at Stadium Lane who have expressed an interest in assisting Lightbourne at the Premier Division club include former greats Kenny Burt, Brian (Bulla) Anderson, Sammy Swan and the latter?s nephew Sheridan (Baldy) Ming.

Swan etched his name in local football folklore by coaching Zebras to the First and Premier Division championships in successive seasons in 1999-00. The veteran striker netted eight goals this season after coming out of retirement at age 44.

Though restricted by heavy work commitments, Swan ? who previously underwent trials at Oxford United in the UK ? also said he would be interested in assisting Lightbourne in a limited capacity should he be given the nod.

?I have been approached?, was all Swan was prepared to state yesterday.

Burt is the current coach of Zebras? commercial outfit, PHC Raiders, Castle coaches at the youth level while Anderson is set to transfer from Paget where he resigned as coach in 2004.

Castle said he is more than keen to assist Lightbourne at the helm.

?I have seriously considered being Kyle?s assistant,? he said yesterday.

Meanwhile, Southern Kent High School student Vernon Perinchief ? back home for the spring break from studies in Connecticut ? inspired Zebras to a high-scoring win over St.George?s at BAA Field on Wednesday night in the Under 18 Youth Division KO Cup quarter-finals.

The promising striker helped himself to a well taken hat-trick during Zebras? 7-3 demolition over the East Enders.

Seventeen-year-old striker Jason Smith ? who netted his first goal in Premier Division football last Sunday against Dandy Town in the FA Cup quarterfinals at Southampton Oval ? added a brace.

Smith made his Premier debut against Boulevard earlier this month.

Malachi Jones also got his name on scoresheet while Zebras? seventh tally came via an own goal.

Jade Foggo (two) and Oronde Bascome replied for a St.George?s side reduced to playing catch up football against a well-oiled Zebras machine.

PHC, coached by former US professional Derek Scott, will now meet Boulevard in the semi-finals on March 31 at BAA Field under the floodlights.