For the first time ever St. Georgians will have more than just a casual interest in the Martonmere Cup, as this year marks the first time that St.

George's Colts will play in the popular early season tournament.

The East Enders achieved that by finishing fifth last season -- their highest finish in the First Division since the Martonmere Cup began in 1972-73.

St. George's, who are grouped with league champions Boulevard and Dudley Eve winners Somerset, will take on the Trojans in tonight's 9.00 feature match at Devonshire Rec. while the opening match at 7.00 will pit Vasco against North Village.

Somerset have an impressive Martonmere Cup record, last winning the cup for three of the four seasons between 1989-90 and '92-93.

It will be a demanding first week of the season for Vasco who will play their first four matches in a seven-day period, having kicked off their campaign on Tuesday night with a win over Boulevard in the Charity Cup.

Vasco face a tough match against a Village team that is boosted by the return of college student Damon Wade and goalkeeper Dwayne (Streaker) Adams who is back from BAA.

On Sunday, Vasco meet Southampton Rangers in the league before springing back into action next Tuesday at Somerset where they play Dandy Town in the Martonmere Cup.

St. George's also face a tough opening to the season, taking on the Trojans tonight, Dandy Town on Sunday in the league and then Boulevard next Tuesday in their second Martonmere Cup match.

Herbie Bascome will be the club's third coach in the last three seasons, taking over from Neil Paynter who guided the team into Martonmere last season at his first attempt.

Now Paynter is planning to resume playing after missing last year because of a knee operation, leaving Bascome to try to build on the progress made since the team returned to the First Division in 1992-93 under his father-in-law Gregory Foggo.

St. George's will not be at full strength from the outset, with Paynter still not fully recovered from his injury, while Phillip Bailey and Jerry Laws have work commitments which have affected their training. Gregg Foggo is nursing a groin injury and Dean Minors has been playing cricket in England and will not be available until later this month.

Still, Bascome is confident the team can be competitive in the Martonmere Cup.

In fact the new coach sees no reason why they should not aim for a place in the final of the competition.

"We can definitely make the final, we are a strong team, the guys are serious and disciplined and that's all they've been waiting for the last three seasons,'' said Bascome, who planned to leave the team this season before the coaching post became vacant.

"Things are going great right now,'' Bascome said of pre-season training.

"We are maintaining a real good discipline and that's what's going to help us the most.'' "The guys have been a little immature with their game for the last three years and now they are making a turn and we should have no problems.

"It's (reaching Martonmere Cup) definitely a historic moment and like I said to the players take the first game as it comes. It's a historic moment and it will be uplifting.

"I'm looking for serious commitment and discipline from the players and if I can get that we should have no problem achieving at least one trophy. I feel we've come a long way from being accepted as a Second Division team and it's about time we start establishing ourselves as a First Division team, trying to win a trophy.'' Goalkeeper Troy Hall, probably the team's most valuable player in the last three years, will return as captain on the team's Martonmere Cup debut, but Bascome may look for another captain later in the season as work commitments also affect Hall's training.

Last season Bascome played as either a defender or midfielder but this season he does not intend to play unless absolutely necessary.

"I'm looking to out and out coach but if I see somewhere in the season where players are lacking commitment and discipline then I will have to take a stand and go out there and play,'' he added.

"But right now I can't see myself playing, the players are well committed and very serious.'' Bailey's absence will leave the team without a key figure at the heart of defence, but he does not intend pushing the experienced Paynter back into the team too soon.

"Neil's not 100 percent as yet,'' said the coach.

"We'll need him when he's healthy, 100 percent,'' said Bascome.

Bascome believes the key to success is not outstanding individual players but the team playing together as a unit.

"We have to settle down and be disciplined as a team and know that the only way we can compete is as a team.'' The prediction in a weekend newspaper tipped St. George's to finish seventh in the standings, but Bascome will be disappointed if the team does not improve on their fifth place finish last season.

"I look at the ratings...number seven, no way,'' he said. "I'm looking at top four, nothing lower than that. If teams don't come organised they will struggle.

"We're going to be a team to reckon with in the future, not just this season.

And seventh place is definitely out. Seventh place is like a repeat of the last three seasons and we're not looking for that.'' TROY HALL -- Goalkeeper will captain St. George's tonight.