Elder statesman of Bermuda football Gary Darrell will be used as a 'soundboard' for national team coach Kenny Thompson and will travel to Trinidad as a technical advisor.

Bermuda Football Association (BFA) have also hired former North Village midfielder, and son of the soil, Richard Todd as an assistant coach to complete Thompson's exciting new-look backroom team.

Darrell, who masterminded the Gombey Warriors' best ever World Cup run in 1992, has been invited back into the national team fold by BFA technical director Derek Broadley who views the ex-Washington Diplomats midfielder's knowledge of Caribbean football as invaluable. Darrell returned for a brief second stint as national team coach in 2002, before being replaced by Thompson 12 months later.

Former Vestavia Hills Soccer Club academy coach Todd, who holds United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and Brazilian coaching badges, has been appointed at the request of Thompson after he missed out on his top target Dennis Brown.

Broadley said he was overwhelmed to have Darrell, who still sits on the BFA's technical committee, back involved and said Todd, 35, would also provide a "fresh pair of eyes".

"Both Gary Darrell and Richard Todd will be coming on board to assist with the national squad as we prepare for our World Cup qualifiers against Trinidad," said Broadley.

"I'm overwhelmed Gary will be part of Kenny Thompson's backroom staff. He will act as a technical advisor for Kenny as well as supporting me in my role as technical director.

"Gary has a wealth of experience on the international stage and his knowledge of Caribbean football will prove invaluable. He's very well respected on the Island and it's important to have someone of his stature involved."

Darrell will act as Broadley's 'eyes and ears' in Port of Spain with the former Crystal Palace academy director opting to remain in Bermuda during the first leg qualifier to set up on-Island coaching courses.

"Gary is a veteran of World Cup qualifying football and I believe he will be an asset in Trinidad.

"I will be in contact with him daily while I stay on the Island to set up summer coaching clinics."

Todd, nephew of late Southampton Rangers skipper Ray (Castro) Todd, is a former United States Independent Soccer League (USISL) player who has primarily coached in the US.

Broadley described Todd's coaching resume as extensive and said he came at the recommendation of Somerset Eagles player/coach Thompson.

"It's important Kenny is comfortable with who he works with. He said he wanted Richard as his assistant," said Broadley. "Some people may look at Richard and say he hasn't coached much in Bermuda, but he has a plethora of knowledge and coaching experience in the US.

"He will also come with a fresh pair of eyes and that's never a bad thing."

The BFA will hold a press conference at their Cedar Avenue offices for 2.30 p.m. regarding preparations for the World Cup qualifiers.