Zuill grateful for Hornets’ support
Dennis Zuill admits he has been overwhelmed by the support shown to him by his boyhood club Dandy Town who stuck by him during his prison sentence in the United States.The former Bermuda international was held on remand until June 1 of last year when he pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiring to distribute cannabis and two charges of conspiring to distribute cocaine.He was sentenced by a judge in New York to ‘time served’, and was released from jail on October 11.Zuill, an ex-Bermuda Hogges defender, said he feels as though he a new lease of life and has vowed to repay Hornets’ display of faith by helping them win the Premier Division title.“It feels wonderful to be back, I’m back home where people have shown me a lot of love while I was away, and also the club that showed me so much support while I was dealing with my issues,” said Zuill.“Dandy Town was the club that transformed me and helped me get to the Bermuda Hogges and the national team, I did play for other clubs but they are the ones who propelled my career to get where I was.“While I was dealing with my issues the club was showing me support, when I had access to e-mails, phone, or any means of reaching outside, they were always seeing how I was doing and letting me know that they were there for me.“It is a great feeling to know that there are people out there that stick by you through the good and the bad, and they told me that they were waiting with open arms for me to come back in any capacity. It has been wonderful.”Since returning to the Island, Zuill has made a handful of appearances for Town, while also lending a helping hand from the bench, assisting coach Jomar Wilkinson from the technical area.He also spent time helping the younger generation of players at the club, both in their sporting and personal lives.“To be involved and lend a helping hand and share my experiences with them (younger players) is just great,” he said.“I had thoughts of playing for Town again, and my cousin Aljame came over to pay tribute to me and play alongside me, and I got myself in some sort of shape and I’m back now helping in any way possible.“Being a mentor to the younger guys and helping them is good, and to see them blossom in both their sports and personal lives is good for me to see given when I left they looked up to the likes of myself and the other senior players.“For me to see the young players getting a chance to go abroad in either semi professional terms or their schooling is rewarding for us as seniors in knowing that our guidance through the years has paid off.“The negativity around the clubs, and Town particularly in recent times, isn’t always just and to see the guys getting stuck in and showing their worth is not only good for the club, but good for themselves as well.”