Bermuda Hogges co-owner Paul Scope was left brimming with pride when the astonishing news filtered through that the Gombey Warriors had toppled Trinidad in their own backyard.

Scope was proud as a fully-fledged member of the Island's football fraternity. Proud as he has a close relationship with the majority of the victorious players, and proud because the shock win confirmed the Hogges programme was working.

The Island's first professional team were partly formed to expose Bermuda's best players to a higher level of football, and consequently enhance the standard of the national team.

And while Scope insists Kenny Thompson and his coaching staff deserve to be showered with superlatives aplenty following the shock win, he believes the Hogges heirachy can also take a portion of the credit.

"A major reason why we formed the Hogges was to help improve the standard of the national team, so there was definitely a sense of pride when myself, Shaun (Goater) and Kyle (Lightbourne) heard the result," said Scope, who was Lightbourne's national team assistant.

"I believe many of the Hogges players played a significant part in the victory and we were delighted for John Barry Nusum, who scored both goals, and our franchise player Damon Ming who had an assist."

The majority of the national team squad have been training with the Hogges since early March and Scope believes their improved fitness levels have enabled Thompson's team to hit the ground running ahead of the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

"Most of Trinidad's players are currently off-season, whereas the majority of Bermuda's squad have benefited from months of competitve action with the Hogges," said the former Somerset Trojans midfielder.

"I think that's an example of how the Hogges have assisted the national team programme. You only have to look at John Barry Nusum who has been in wonderful form of late. If he had gone straight from playing indoor football to international football would he have been so sharp? John's certainly benefited from getting a few competitive USL games under his belt."

Since Derek Broadley's appointment as Bermuda Football Association's (BFA) technical director, the Hogges have developed a closer working relationship with the national game's governing body.

Scope added that the Hogges coaching staff and those players not involved with the national team would be among the estimated 4,500 supporters descending on the National Sports Centre on Sunday hoping to witness a piece of history.

The Hogges take on Western Mass Pioneers at the NSC tonight, and at BAA tomorrow night.

They have offered supporters reduced priced tickets for both games, which kick-off at 7 p.m. Fans who attend tonight's game with a ticket for Bermuda's World Cup qualifying match against Trinidad can gain admission for just $10.

Supporters who produce a stub at tomorrow's game from the previous match can also buy a ticket for $10.