Kentoine Jennings has officially taken over the helm of North Village.

Still regarded as one of the Island?s top sweepers, Jennings was an obvious choice to succeed retired coach Scott Morton who ended a highly decorated two-year stint at Bernard Park at the conclusion of last season.

During his term, Morton won back-to-back Premier Division league and FA Cup titles, two Charity Cups, one Martonmere Cup crown and a sole Friendship Trophy, leaving many to ponder reasons for his abrupt decision to quit on the crest of tremendous successes.

Morton took over the reigns from former head coach at Village, Kenny Thompson, in 2000-01

Now it?s all up to Jennings to try and keep the club?s recent winning tradition alive.

?I think we definitely failed in the league last season and weren?t consistent enough . . . and that?s where you want to compete,? said Jennings, who represented Bermuda earlier this year in the World Cup qualifying campaign.

?We weren?t consistent in the league and we struggled. So even though we won three trophies, we came fifth in the league and by our standards that was low.?

Village kick off their 2004-05 campaign tomorrow night at BAA Field where they take on Premier Division league and FA Cup champions Dandy Town in the traditional season opening Charity Cup.

The Reds are gunning for an unprecedented third successive cup triumph and fourth in the last five seasons, however, according to Jennings, winning a third Charity Cup is not the team?s primary objective.

?Right now my emphasis isn?t on winning . . . that?s something that comes naturally when you play good football,? explained Jennings.

?It?s all about getting the team together and the camaraderie there and just trying to get the players to enjoy their football. Once we have achieved this then the winning part just comes naturally.?

Village lost the services of veteran Dwight (Payback) Warren and promising ?keeper Daniel Johnson over the off-season and ? for ?various reasons? ? will be without several key players tomorrow night, revealed Jennings.

?For one reason or the other, a lot of our veteran players aren?t available and so we are just concentrating on what we do have at this point,? he added. ?But the players who have been training have certainly showed enthusiasm and worked very hard. And it?s going to be a test for some of them.

?Yes, we do have the opportunity to win three Charity Cups (successively) but right now that?s not the main issue. The main issue at the moment is trying to find the team?s cohesiveness and so we will use this match as a gauge to see how we will be able to compete in the league.?

Meanwhile Village president Shervin Dill is confident Jennings has what it takes to keep the momentum and the bubbly flowing at Bernard Park.

?It has always been part of our plan (to groom Jennings for the top post). . . that?s how we like to develop people. And Kentoine (Jennings) is certainly a prime example of this, having come through the junior ranks at Village and risen to the top level of head coach,? he said.

Assisting Jennings, is Allan Smith in a dual capacity as assistant coach and team manager. Smith was at the helm of the team last season when they hoisted the Martonmere Cup while Morton was hospitalised following a horrific motorbike accident.

Dill added: ?We are very delighted to have Kentoine take over at Village and he has able support in Allan (Smith) who had the team for a period last season and obtained good success.?

Jennings, who enjoyed a brief professional career in the UK at Hereford United and a playing stint at defunct Vasco da Gama in the 90s, currently holds an English International/UEFA B Licence.