Keith Jennings has returned to Southampton Rangers as the Premier Division side’s head coach after serving a three-year ban for threatening behaviour towards a referee.

The former Bermuda and North Village midfielder replaces Maurice Lowe who was named as the Bermuda Football Association’s National Academy’s technical development director last month.

Jennings’s first stint as Rangers coach ended after he was found guilty by the BFA’s disciplinary committee of kicking a ball at referee Stephen Allen at the end of a league match against Dandy Town at Southampton Oval in 2012.

Rangers suspended Jennings for his actions before he received his ban from the BFA.

Jennings, who unsuccessfully appealed against his ban, then joined the coaching staff at top-flight St George’s although he was prevented from sitting in the dugout.

A posting on the Rangers Facebook page read: “Southampton Rangers Sports Club would like to welcome back Keith Jennings as the head coach of their Premier Division team. We look forward to Keith getting down to business and applying his knowledge and will to win upon the team.”

Lowe, who previously coached First Division BAA Wanderers, secured Rangers’ top-flight status on the final day of last season.

“Southampton Rangers Sports Club would like to wish Maurice well on his future endeavours,” added the club’s Facebook posting.

A freak injury ended Jennings’s playing career after he was involved in a double collision while challenging for the ball during a league match between Rangers and Somerset Eagles at Southampton Oval in 2010.

Jennings, then aged 32, had to have a kidney removed and also ruptured his spleen.