Keishen Bean has backed Devarr Boyles to restore North Village to their perch at the top of Bermudian football.

One of the island’s most decorated clubs, Village’s stock has diminished in the past few seasons after failing to capture any silverware since Shaun Goater stepped down as coach more than 3½ years ago.

Bean, however, believes their fortunes are about to change after Boyles’s appointment and points to his title-winning experience and man-management skills as reasons for the Village faithful to be optimistic for next season.

“The players and the board are very excited about [Boyles’s] appointment,” said Bean, the experienced Village forward.

“I know he has what it takes to help us get to the next level.

“He has the full support of every player and we’ve even had some players return to the team after opting to sit out last season.”

Among those players believed to have returned is former Bermuda defender Devrae Tankard who played under Boyles during his stint as Bermuda’s interim coach during the 2011 World Cup qualifiers.

Irving Romaine will remain as Village’s assistant coach for a second season, while it is understood that former Dandy Town goalkeeper Mikkail Crockwell will join the Bernard Park outfit.

Bean struggled to find his best form under previous coach Richard Todd, who stepped down because of family and work commitments, but said he feels re-motivated by Boyles’s arrival.

“I have a strong desire to work with Boyles,” said the 30-year-old. “Todd has laid a strong foundation for Boyles to build on.”

Boyles was unveiled as Village’s new coach this week by Shervin Dill, who has returned as president of the club after the resignation of Stephen Coddington.

Dill said Boyles’s first task was to improve on last season’s fourth-place finish, which qualified them for the Dudley Eve Trophy after missing out the previous season.

“[Boyles] was the first choice and the direction was that we pursue him as our first choice,” said Dill, who was replaced by Coddington as president in 2013.

“That was my first task, that was the priority. He came very highly recommended, the players and management of the team were looking towards him and that’s when I stepped in and made the initial contact.”

Village enjoyed tremendous successes under Goater, winning six trophies during his tenure, including the league, three Friendship Trophy and two Dudley Eve Trophy titles.

His successor Ralph Bean Jr spent 2½ years at the helm, guiding the club to the FA Cup final in his first full season, losing 1-0 to Town.

It has been more than 7½ years since Boyles coached in the Premier Division, having quit as Cougars coach in 2009 after lifting the title to become the Bermuda Football Association’s youth director.

As part of that role, he spent two seasons helping coach the Bermuda Hogges in the United Soccer League’s Premier Development League and enhanced his reputation during Bermuda’s 2011 World Cup qualifiers, winning three and drawing one of their six group matches.

Boyles, who has signed a two-year deal at Village, turned down an offer from the BFA to continue working on a part-time basis in 2012 after being told by the cash-strapped Association that it could no longer afford his wages.

During his time at Town, Boyles won the Premier Division, Martonmere Cup, FA Cup, Dudley Eve Trophy and Friendship Trophy.