Jomar Wilkinson turned down several offers from other clubs before agreeing to take the reins at First Division side Southampton Rangers.

The former Dandy Town coach revealed that other teams were keen on his services but said the opportunity to spearhead a revival at Rangers was too good to pass up.

“I had other offers on the table from several teams but I chose Rangers because what they are doing up there resonates with my upbringing and principles,” Wilkinson said.

“We had several meetings and their plans for the club and community resonated with me. It gave me goose bumps how they are aspiring to revamp the youth and senior programme, and I felt that energy and decided to join the team.”

Jason Wade, the Rangers president, said the club hired Wilkinson “with the intent of being promoted back to the Premier Division”.

Wilkinson added: “The president and the executive have backed me 100 per cent. The plan has been set out and they have given me all the backing I need and I’m very thankful for that.

“I’ve definitely embraced the challenge and I look forward to being a part of the rebuilding stage and the future. I understand the challenge we have ahead of us, we all do.

“We had a team meeting at the beginning of this week and we laid it out on the line for the players who are ready to commit themselves and bring 100 per cent and go from there.

“The hunger is still there and I’m looking forward to this new challenge. I’m ready and eager to go and work with a new group of guys and all I ask of them is to trust me, believe in the philosophy, and bring the intensity and commitment.”

Rangers have been busy recruiting players during the off-season to bolster their promotion bid.

Among the new faces are Bermuda midfielder Donte Brangman and winger Quadir Maynard, who helped Young Men’s Social Club gain promotion last season. Akale Bean has also returned to the club after a brief stint at Somerset Eagles, who were relegated last term

“It was very important to get those two players on board,” Wilkinson said.

“As you know Donte has some history at the club already and I’ve had some history Quadir at Dandy Town.

“We are working on a few more signings because we need to increase the roster. We also want to build the type of environment where players are competing for spots, so we’re working on bringing a few more players and build something special at Rangers.”

Another component of the club’s revival is the relaunching of a junior football programme.

“They are looking to start with at least three youth programmes and then increase it as the seasons go on,” Wilkinson said. “It’s important to have teams coming behind the senior programme and this year we are also going to introduce a PDL [Player Development League] team.”

Andrew Bascome, the Bermuda coach, will assist at the club’s grass-roots level by sharing his wealth of coaching expertise with the club’s staff of youth coaches.

“I think it’s very important work Andrew will be doing at Rangers,” Wilkinson added. “There’s a lot of positive things happening at Rangers and I can’t wait to get into the ring with them and be a part of the team.”