X-Roads have made their first signing of the off-season by securing the services of Ralph Bean Jr as head coach for the upcoming Premier Division campaign.

Bean, a former North Village player and coach, did some coaching with X-Roads towards the end of last season, assisting Khomeini Talbot. But now Bean, has been handed the reins on a full-time basis with Talbot will remain on the coaching staff.

Saleem Talbot, president of the club, is delighted to secure the services of the former Bermuda forward.

“I believe it’s a good fit for the team, good for him too, and good for our development,” Talbot told The Royal Gazette. “The guys know him and he knows the players. Last season he wasn’t able to commit fully but now we’re looking for great things.”

The team was able to get clear of the relegation zone, finishing six points ahead of Devonshire Colts in the last relegation spot, and hold on to the Premier Division place they first gained back in 2017. Now they are looking ahead to a sixth straight season in the top flight next term.

The move to get Bean on board full time has been going on for a few months. “We talked about it towards the end of the season and just needed to dot the Is and cross the Ts, as they say, and here we are,” Talbot revealed.

“It was a very difficult season in every respect but I never had any doubts, to be honest, that we would survive.”

X-Roads secured survival on the last day of the season when they beat Somerset Trojans 3-1 at Garrison Field as Donavan Thompson netted twice. In the end the win was not needed because Devonshire Colts lost their final match against Robin Hood to be relegated.

Now X-Roads are looking forward with optimism to the new season.

“I think he realises what we have and that he can work with us,” Talbot added. “During the last part of the season things started to gel and that’s why we got the results that we got. You could see the chemistry.

“Khomeini is still on board, the difference is that Ralph will be responsible for the team. He has a team of coaches around him, he was a member of the coaching staff last season, but now he has responsibility to get the job done.

“He can work with us, he’s demonstrated that already. We’re looking forward to a good season, the league is getting better and that’s a good thing.”

X-Roads will again be playing their home matches at Garrison Field, a facility Talbot hopes can be upgraded through efforts between the club and Government who own the field.