Shaun Goater will be overlooked for the Bermuda Hogges head coach's position with the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) favouring Under-23 national team boss Scott Morton.

Although no official announcement has been made, The Royal Gazette understands Morton could be named as the new Hogges boss today.

The BFA's snub will serve as a real blow to Goater who has turned North Village into the Premier Division's most attractive and organised team this season and had been recommended for the job by the Hogges' owners.

However, the BFA have always made it clear that the Hogges coach had to be willing to work within the national academy, a role Goater has never publically expressed an interest in taking.

As the national Under-23 coach, Morton had always been the most likely candidate with the majority of the Hogges squad to be selected from that age group.

Although club secretary Paul Scope, Goater and Kyle Lightbourne own the franchise, the BFA were granted full control of coaching and player selection following a joint decision to join the PDL from the USL-D2.

It now remains unclear as to how involved Goater and former coach Lightbourne will have in the day-to-day running of the club.

Scope yesterday confirmed that Goater's name had been officially put forward for the top coaching job.

"The Hogges have put Shaun forward as a willing and able coach," he said.

"That's the official position of the Hogges but we also accept that we have delegated the coaching and player selections to the BFA.

"I guess we will do what normal owners do. In the past we had to do everything from administration, coaching to game day operations and we are grateful for the BFA's help in all departments."

Scope said he believed Lightbourne and Goater would be more than willing to use their extensive contacts in England to help get the best Hogges players trials at professional clubs.

"One of Kyle's interests is in utilising his contacts in the UK to get players trials. With this age group we think we will have more success with that than the older age group.

"We did try before but nobody wants 25 to 30-year-olds."

Morton spent time harnessing his knowledge at Clairfontaine – France's national football centre – and made his name locally coaching Dandy Town and North Village.

During his time at Village he won back-to-back Premier Divisions, the FA Cup, two Charity Cups and the Friendship Trophy.