January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Andre Manders set for Stars return: are Hurdle and Smith far behind?
Former Somerset Cup Match skipper has work to do
Andre Manders set for Stars return: are Hurdle and Smith far behind?
The right-arm fast bowler is among a shortlist of players who have shown interest in joining the former powerhouse next season.
Also said to be on the way to St. John's Field is former Star and Hurdle's Young Men's Social Club teammate Nakia Smith.
Stars recently pulled off a major coup by luring son of the soil and former club stalwart Andre Manders from Premier side PHC.
The former Somerset Cup Match skipper, who is currently assisting at the senior national level, has accepted terms of a coaching deal with Stars who he feels have a very promising future ahead of them.
Manders said: "I have already met with some of the younger players who are very happy to see me come onboard because last year they were practically on their own. We have a lot of work to do but I know we can get to where we want to be."
Manders is also looking forward to working with the club's abundance of young talent.
He said: "This is definitely a new challenge for me and was one of the main reasons I decided to return to Stars. It really wasn't a difficult decision to make because they have a lot of youth and I just want to help them out.
"I have already told them what I expect and things do look promising. They just need to be groomed and playing in the First Division will give them a good opportunity to do so. That's where I first started out playing."
Promises
Manders made a promise with late Stars player Machai Campbell that he would return to his former club one day to assist.
Campbell was a member of Bermuda's squad that competed at the 2008 Under 19 World Cup under coach Manders, who added: "I have already dedicated this season to Machai's memory - it just saddens me that is no longer with us. He was so talented."
Manders coached PHC for a decade before deciding late last year to part company with a team he helped mould into a reckoning force.
During his time at PHC Manders came out of retirement to help his team's cause with both bat and ball.
However, he doesn't intend on seeing much action in the middle at Stars.
"At Stars my role is coaching while playing a little cricket on the side is optional," he said. "At PHC playing became too much of a burden."
Among those touted as Manders' successor at PHC is former Southampton Rangers coach Clevie Wade.
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