confirmed this week as Neil Paynter's replacement.

Bascome, who played last year and was one of two first team players -- Gregg Foggo the other -- who sought a transfer release, will take over from Paynter who has decided to resume playing after a knee operation forced him out for a year.

There were two other applicants for the St. George's position before Monday's deadline.

"I feel it's great because he's just taken courses with the BFA and has certificates,'' said club president Mansfield Smith of Bascome's appointment.

It is now expected that both Bascome and Foggo will stay with the club as players, though it is not certain if Bascome will combine playing with coaching. A couple of seasons ago Bascome assisted with the coaching at St.

George's for a period while also playing for Boulevard, where he was rumoured to be returning.

The appointment means that Bascome joins his brother Andrew as a coach of an east end club, Andrew being coach of neighbours St. David's. Smith thinks Herbie has plenty to offer.

"I've seen him work before and have been very pleased with his work,'' added Smith. "Now he's learned even more and with the support of the players we should go from strength to strength, especially with Neil able to concentrate more on his playing. We needed someone to really concentrate on the coaching aspect.'' The club has qualified for the Martonmere Cup for the first time and once Cup Match has passed the focus will be geared towards the new soccer season which will begin in late September.

Meanwhile, the first winners of the Martonmere Cup in 1973, Devonshire Colts, are also in the process of appointing a new coach to take over from Lorenzo Symonds who is cutting back on his responsibilities after 20 years with the club as either a player or coach.

And while Symonds, also a former Bermuda captain, is stepping down, president Nelson Bascome says he will still be acting in an assistant coach role alongwith Vic Ball.

"It's a sad loss, though it's not really a loss, because he's just stepping back,'' Bascome said of Symonds' decision to quit.

"His contribution has been great, having come to Devonshire Colts from Social Club as a junior player in 1974-75. He's been dedicated all the way through and I wish him all the success in his future endeavours, but I know he'll never leave Devonshire Colts.'' Players who have obtained releases have up until Monday at 5.00 p.m. to transfer to a new club or remain with their current club. Forms must be submitted to the BFA office.

Devonshire Colts were one of the hardest hit clubs during the transfer release period with a number of players, including Leonard Hypolite, Chris Caisey, Anthony Wilson, Marvin Lewis, Antoine Lightbourne, Derek Wright, Aljame Zuill and Roydon Holdipp, all looking elsewhere. Others on the move include Yul Wade, Cordell Gilbert, James Pace and Sinclair Smith.