Ilkeston FC are looking to strengthen their links with the Island by increasing their presence of Bermudian players this season.The UK non-league club are in the process of adding to their very own ‘Bermuda Triangle’ of Antwan Russell, Lejuan Simmons and Dante Leverock, with chairman Dave Mantle and commercial director Nigel Harrop visiting the Island last week.On the recommendation of Bermuda Hogges owner Paul Scope, who forged the burgeoning partnership, Mantle and Harrop have met with several prospective players for both their first team and Academy.With more around 3,500 miles separating the subtropical Island and rolling green hills of Derbyshire, the relationship between Ilkeston and Hogges could be considered quite unusual.But with national team striker Russell, 26, finalising his move to the club last week following a successful brief spell, it’s a partnership that’s already beginning to bear fruit.Russell scored three goals for the Ilkeston last season who are coached by former Chelsea striker Kevin Wilson, a former Walsall team-mate of Bermuda’s Kyle Lightbourne.And Mantle believes the Evo-Stik Northern Premier outfit can provide a realistic path for Bermuda players into the English game.“In the UK we have been on national radio stations and people can’t quite understand (the partnership). But when they see guys like Antwan play then they start to realise that it’s certainly not a gimmick,” said Mantle, a managing director at SR Education - a Nottingham-based private training provider.“The partnership really appealed to me. Let’s not beat about the bush, the Island is beautiful and after meeting Paul and the boys the partnership really worked for me.“Obviously we’re going on the recommendation of Paul and others out here but I think there’s every chance there will be more Bermudians in our first team.“Every player that comes over from Bermuda will be given a chance. If they’re good enough they will play Antwan, Lejuan and Dante all know that.”Last season saw Devonshire Cougars winger Simmons, 20, make several appearances for Ilkeston’s reserves helping them lift the Central Conference Cup, while Hornets striker Leverock, 21, regularly trained with the first team.Mantle has been impressed with the attitude and ability of all three Bermudian players who he said had already made a strong impression at the club.“Antwan has been a great endorsement for Bermuda, he’s shown the right mettle and scored against the league leaders (North Ferribly United) early on which always helps,” said Mantle, who helped establish an Academy at then Premier League club Derby County.“They have all adapted really well and been great in the dressing room, they have made a really good impression at the club.”Not only are Ilkeston looking at more experienced Bermudian players like Russell who are ready-made for their first team, they have also identified at least one of the Island’s most talented youngsters for their fully-fledged Academy.The club’s specialised education department deliver a variety of courses for their Academy players at both their purpose built education block at the New Manor Ground, plus their off-site facility in nearby Nottingham.Accommodation for international students is provided in high quality housing close to the stadium which is staffed by full-time residential wardens.The annual scholarship for international students aged from 16 to 18 costs $20,000 per year, with Mantle, Harrop and Scope also spending last week meeting with potential sponsors on the Island.“There is an opportunity for boys who wouldn’t get the chance financially to come over and spend two years with us through sponsors,” added Mantle.“Even if it didn’t work out for a player then it would have still have been a good experience and I’m sure they would come back to Bermuda a better player.”Scope, a former national team assistant coach, believes Ilkeston’s Academy could provide a perfect springboard for young Bermudians to launch their football careers.“Ilkeston have an excellent Academy I’d say it’s Championship standard,” said Scope, who hopes to reform Hogges next season after pulling out of the United Soccer Leagues this summer due to lack of funding.“They are also ideally situated as they are surrounded by a dozen professional clubs like Nottingham Forest, Derby County, Leicester City and Chesterfield and have aspirations of reaching the Conference in the next few years.“We wouldn’t normally have thought about sending somebody at cost to a team in the seventh tier of English football but I really believe they are run like a professional club.“We have spoken to a number of sponsors and if they can be apart of saving somebody from Bermuda’s social ills by giving a players an opportunity to better themselves as men not just footballers, then that has to be a plus.”Harrop, a former Bermuda resident, reckons there has always been an abundance of talent on the Island which Ilkeston are now keen to tap into.“This is another resource for us and we’re really positive about that. At our club, if you’re good enough no matter how young you are, you will get your chance.“There’s always been an abundance of talent in Bermuda and for a small island that’s quite unusual.“With the help of Paul and the sponsors we can make it possible with what we’re doing to fit (Bermuda players) into our system and give them a chance.”