A few months after leading St. George's Colts into the Martonmere Cup for the first time, St. George's coach Neil Paynter is giving up his coaching post to return to playing full time.

And the club have been quick to seek his replacement, taking out an advertisement in a bid to attract qualified candidates.

"Neil is going to resume playing and didn't want the double responsibility,'' explained club president Mansfield Smith yesterday.

Paynter, a former Bermuda international defender, was forced to sit out last year while he recovered from knee surgery. At the first attempt he finally succeeded where others before him had failed when he lifted the team into a top six finish and thus ended many frustrating years of trying to qualify for the Martonmere Cup.

St. George's ended the season in fifth place with 18 points from 18 league matches while also scoring and conceding 19 goals. They also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup before losing to Devonshire Cougars.

"At the beginning of last season I took the job for one year because I really wanted to get back into playing,'' said Paynter, 27, yesterday.

"But at the end of the season I was going to continue on as player-coach because I thought I had made some strides with the players.'' Paynter admitted his decision to give up the coaching post was made because he did not want to combine both playing and coaching, particularly with his knee still needing therapy.

"I thought it would be best to concentrate on getting my leg better,'' he explained. "I feel I do have a bit more playing left in me and that with the injury I couldn't put both together.'' Paynter hasn't ruled out returning to coaching in the future, especially after the experience of last season. "It was a learning experience, but I still have a lot to learn, I won't deny that,'' he said.

For now, the solid defender will concentrate on getting fit for the start of the new season, which includes competing in the Martonmere Cup at the beginning of the new campaign.

"I think that (Martonmere Cup) will be a great challenge and I hope the rest of the players are looking forward to it themselves, especially those who will be playing in it for the first time.

"The physio has said that as long as I do what I'm supposed to do I should have no problem starting the season.'' President Smith acknowledged the contribution made by Paynter during the past season.

"He did a terrific job in his first year and was instrumental in putting our soccer programme in shape, from the seniors to the juniors,'' said Smith.

"That was the goal, to reach the Martonmere Cup, anything else was a bonus. I thought we were unlucky not to reach the FA Cup final.'' The club is seeking a coach with at least a `C' licence qualification and with a minimum two years experience. Deadline for applications is next Monday.

"We're putting out feelers and whoever responds to the advertisement we will interview them and make our decision from there,'' said the president.

"As soon as Cup Match goes we want to get soccer into full swing.'' Paynter succeeded Gregory Foggo as coach and before them two of the high profile coaches at the club were Roddy Burchall and Randy Horton.