After announcing last week that several of the Island's junior soccer prospects would be taking part in trials with some of Britain's top clubs, senior national soccer coach Mark Trott says it's now up to the youngsters to impress the coaching staff if they want to make the grade.

Selected to undergo trials with West Ham United were Damon Swan, Dion Stovell and Domico Coddington while Takehyi Walker, Trevor Smith, Jason Dill and Shannon DeShield are all off to fellow Premier Division club Middlesbrough.

Raymond Beach and Dennis Russell will also be taking part in trials at Tottenham while Angelo Simmons will be put through his paces at Manchester United.

Stephen Astwood, who was denied a chance to join Preston last year because of work permit problems, will return to England to train with Portsmouth.

Apart from Simmons who won't leave the Island until next month, all of the players will depart for the UK on Thursday.

"It's not for me to sit here and judge whether or not these guys are good enough," said Trott.

"It's all going to come down to when they get over there in front of those coaches and the coaches decide on whether they have what it takes.

"If we ever want to make it anywhere in the world, then we have to have professional players like everyone else, because there's a vast difference between professionals and amateurs, whether we want to admit it or not."

Former Southampton Rangers stalwart Edgar Smith said he was "overwhelmed" that his son, Trevor, had been extended an invitation to take part in trials at Middlesbrough.

"When my son first came home to me and told me that there was a possibility way back in January that Mark (Trott) may send a cluster of youngsters to various English clubs, shivers ran through by body," said Smith.

"He didn't say that it was really going to come to be but he did say that it might be possible for him and a few other Bermuda's youngsters to get the opportunity. And believe me, what a fantastic opportunity it is.

"As a father I'm very, very proud and not just for my son but for all of the kids and for Bermuda as a whole to have been given this wonderful opportunity.

"It's a tremendous opportunity for them."

Smith will be accompanying his son to Middlesbrough for the 15-day trial period.

"I will definitely be there to see it and maybe meet a few of the coaches and see what Middlesbrough is all about," he added.

Former Devonshire Colts left winger Randolph (Turps) DeShield was also delighted that his son (Shannon) had been given a chance with Smith at the Teesside club.

"Like Edgar said, I am proud of Shannon and all of the other guys going overseas," said DeShield.

"When I was playing we didn't have these opportunities so the only thing that I would like to see is that each one of them give one hundred and ten percent.

"Hopefully they'll go out there and work hard and do the best that they can. I can't ask much more than that because nothing is promised, but I think that if they go and give one hundred percent then they will make themselves, their families and also Bermuda very, very proud."