Andrew Bascome’s bid to enter his ABC Valencia team in the First Division has been rejected by the Bermuda Football Association affiliate clubs.

The decision was made at last week’s semi-annual meeting when a number of clubs opposed Bascome’s plan to enter his team in the senior league.

Although no official word has been received by Bascome, he understands that the objection could be out of fear that he would attract other teams’ players.

“To be accused of trying to take children from other clubs is hurting,” said Bascome, who runs the Valencia programme for youngsters between 6 and 18, coaches Premier Division side Devonshire Cougars and is also the Bermuda coach.

“That has never been my intention and I don’t understand why they can even think that since I go out of my way to educate their coaches.

“Nobody has come to me officially but I’ve been told by reliable sources it is 16 clubs.”

David Sabir, the BFA general secretary, said that he was not able to comment on the matter when contacted yesterday.

“Nobody has told me why we haven’t been accepted so that we can make the necessary adjustments to be accepted,” said Bascome, who has about 350 children in the Valencia programme with daily training sessions at Saltus field.

He is widely regarded as one of the Island’s top coaches, turning to coaching after his own playing career was severely hampered by a knee injury at the age of 23.

“I have never asked one kid to come to my programme and have never asked one player to come to a club in which I had joined to coach, never,” Bascome said.

“If there is one thing I learned from [Carlton] Pepe Dill is you don’t come to play for the coach, you play for the club, because the coach can be fired. It’s as easy as this, I want to plant my own corn.

“I’m putting in hours of work, pay coaches and invest in educating the players. Now I would like to provide an opportunity where these players can play senior football for the club that they grew into.

“It’s like farming and I’m upset if it is threatening anyone, but I don’t need any more children to come to Valencia.

“If a kid has the passion, desire and the right character, if they come to me at six, then by the age of 18 I can make them into a decent player, I have that much trust in my knowledge.”

Bascome submitted an application early last year to the BFA to enter Valencia into the First Division.

Cal Blankendal, who has since stepped down as BFA vice-president, said at the time: “We have received multiple applications for the upcoming season and each application will be handled according to the constitution and by-laws.”

Bascome started the ABC Football School in 2010. A year later the school struck a three-year partnership with Valencia, the Spanish La Liga side, which resulted in them establishing an academy on the Island.