Wade: ‘Make some history’

PHC are looking to build on last season’s runners-up finish as they open their new Premier Division campaign against Wolves on Sunday at Devonshire Rec.

Triple-winning Cougars were the only side to finish above the Zebras in the table. PHC’s last title win was in 2007/08 but their history is rich, having been league champions nine times and FA Cup winners on 10 occasions.

But coach Mark Wade says that rather than feel the  pressure of playing for the club, players must see this season as a chance to add to its legacy.

He told the Bermuda Sun: “It doesn’t weigh on our minds. I tell the players it’s their opportunity to build on that history. 

“They have an opportunity to make some history of their own.”

The team had mixed results in the Dudley Eve group stage, winning 5-0  over Southampton Rangers but losing 2-1 to North Village.

Wade added: “It’s been a little bit up and down.

“In terms of preparation we are a little bit behind. The Rangers game we have to put behind us because we were fortunate to come up against a Rangers side that probably wasn’t as good as they wanted it to be. And North Village were a lot sharper than us.

“We’ve got some work to do to get to where we want to be.”

However, hopes are high within the club that they can at least emulate last season’s performance.

The squad is stronger, too. Malachi Jones and Jensen Rogers have come in from Somerset, while striker Dennis Russell —last season’s top scorer — has rejoined  from Rangers.

Jahnai Raynor has also signed from Prospect.

Wade said: “They’re the ones the fans will know about but we have a couple of youngsters coming through as well,

“We need to do nothing less than what we did last year — and we want to do a lot better in the cup competitions.”

Togetherness is the club’s greatest asset, says Wade, who will need all his man-management skills to rotate and keep happy a 35-man strong squad.

He said: “Our team unity, our family atmosphere —  it’s the foundation of PHC teams.

“We have a roster of 35 and we need that number of players to compete in all the competitions and to play at a high level. 

“Teams that have won the league certainly need that many. Last season we had 28, this season we have 15 away at school but when they come back they are all contenders for the first team.”