Hogges announce Ilkeston partnership

The Bermuda Hogges have announced a partnership with English club Ilkeston FC.

Robin Hood striker Antwan Russell has immediately benefited from the link-up, signing for the Evo-Stick Premier League Club for six weeks.

The relationship between the two clubs has been fostered by Hogges owners Paul Scope and Kyle Lightbourne — Nigel Harrop, commercial director at Ilkeston, is a former Bermuda resident and a friend of Scope, while Kevin Wilson, the Ilkeston manager, was a strike partner of Kyle's during their Walsall days.

Scope said in a press release: "Both Kyle and I think Ilkeston are a great club for Bermudian players to look at. It is the right level for most of our top players to establish themselves before looking at higher clubs. The Evo-Stick is the old Northern Premier League and only three steps below League Two, where Nahki Wells plays for Bradford City".

Ilkeston FC have big ambitions with plans to go professional and reach the Football League.

Scope added: “Antwan Russell is joining Ilkeston this week and could feature in Thursday's home game against Buxton or the home game on Saturday versus North Ferriby.

“Due to several weather postponements, the games will be coming thick and fast and Antwan should gain valuable experience in this very tough league. He has all the attributes to make a good impression and under the guidance of Kevin Wilson and Darren Caskey, he will undoubtedly improve during his six-week spell in Derbyshire.

“Ilkeston F.C. is ideally situated between Football League Championship Clubs, Nottingham Forest and Derby County with League one Notts County and League Two Burton Albion and Chesterfield F.C not far away. Good performances for Ilkeston will not go unnoticed.

“Mansfield Town who could well get promotion back to Division Two this year and Leicester City, another Football League Championship club, are also in the area. In fact, Antwan is eligible to play in the Derbyshire Senior cup Final against Matlock Town at Chesterfield's Proact Stadium on April 30. Ilkeston's season winds up with a home game against Marine on May 4.

"Another Hogges player, Lejuan Simmons, has been training at Ilkeston for a few months and has turned out for the reserve and academy teams. There will actually be three Bermudian players at Ilkeston F.C. this week with Donte Leverock invited up for trials from his London base. Donte also played for the Hogges and we are working hard to give Hogges players the opportunity to play professionally overseas as past Hogges players, Nahki Wells and Freddy Hall, have done.

 "Kyle is going over to assist the coaches at Walsall for the remainder of the season and will be sure to visit Ilkeston to meet up with Kevin Wilson and his staff.

“I was just there last week and met the Chairman, Dave Mantle. It was my fourth visit to Ilkeston in a year and the relationship has developed into an official link between Ilkeston FC And Bermuda Hogges FC.

"Dave Mantle is a Principal in SR Education who run educational programmes, including the Premiership quality, Ilkeston F.C. Academy situated at the New Manor Ground. Dave has offered up to five places per year for young Bermudian players aged between 16 to 18.

 "Kyle and I are delighted with this development with Ilkeston which adds to our established relationships with Barnet FC and Walsall. This will expand the opportunities for Bermudian players overseas which is a big part of the Bermuda Hogges plans."