April 19, 2013 at 2:25 p.m.
Cougars aim to strengthen squad
Celebrations are still going on after Cougars won the Digicel Premier League, the Friendship Trophy and the FA Cup in the same season for the first time in the club’s history.
But Brown is already planning for next campaign as he looks to top a “monumental” season.
And he believes his own experience of playing in the all-conquering Somerset Trojans team of the 1980’s will stand the team in good stead as he looks to push them on and expose them to competition outside of Bermuda.
He told the Bermuda Sun: “I have been in a position as a player and captain of Somerset Trojans in the 1980’s where we won the league three years in a row and also went undefeated in that time, which spanned 51 games, so I know what will be required for us to reach the same standards that we did this season.
“I do not plan to go anywhere, I am very comfortable at the Rec. My vision for the team next season is to now expose them to a level outside Bermuda and we are now in the planning stages of planning for a pre-season tour or may do something at the end of next season but it is our responsibility as coaches to get our players exposed to higher levels. If the Concacaf Tournament doesn’t come off then we will do something on our own.
Brown said recruiting players is an ongoing challenge and added he was looking forward to Kwame Steede’s return from injury.
“Although we had a very successful season, we can still improve as a team, so yes I am looking to improve the squad but not by much.
“I would say we will be looking to add to the squad by at least five players but also take into consideration that Kwame Steede will be back next season and that will almost be like a new signing because he didn’t play at all this season.
“Cougars have a very young team and players that come in will be invited by me to the programme and will also have to fit into our philosophy. Players who represent Cougars have to be responsible on and off the field and not be involved in any kind of crazy activities that we read about on a weekly basis.”
He added: “We definitely will be a marked team next season but moving around the island last week, some people outright downplayed what we accomplished this season by saying that the standard is not that high and that is why we won and that Cougars are not a good team.
“I beg to differ because this team has not lost a game since October 12, 2012 to Dandy Town and won the league by eight points.
“I agree that the standard of play in Bermuda at the senior level is not where it should be and needs work but I am very proud of my team in what they achieved this season and look forward to pre-season which will be more intense for them this coming summer.”
Although Brown’s mind is already ticking over with plans for the three-way defence of their titles, that won’t stop him enjoying the break.
He said: “I will definitely have a brilliant summer. The celebrations haven’t stopped yet because what the players achieved was monumental. Although the celebrations are ongoing, my mind has now gone to the preparations for next season. I will not say publicly what I think that we can achieve next season, I always keep that in-house and do our talking on the pitch.” n
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