the Second Division after four straight years in the top flight, but don't tell that to new coach Earl Basden.

The former captain, who led the team back into the First Division in 1992, acknowledges he faces an enormous task but seems ready to tackle it with enthusiasm.

"We're short of time and we've got a lot of work to do and I've taken on a big responsibility but I feel up to it,'' said Basden last night after his first two sessions in his new post.

After a slow response to training the players are coming out and the interest has picked up now that a coach has finally been appointed. Twelve players turned out on Tuesday night and 13 last night and Basden is confident things will get better.

"I think it's going to be a challenge, not just for me but the entire community,'' said Basden, the team manager last season.

"If the community backs St. George's Colts we'll strive together.'' The club have made tremendous progress in the last few years, advancing from uncertainty over their future in the top division to one that has shown they can hold their own against the big boys.

Last year they picked up their first major trophy, the Friendship Trophy, and finished third in the league. The season before they qualified for the Martonmere Cup competition for the first time.

"We've increased each place by two places and our next step is to win the league,'' said Basden of the last two seasons.

"A lot of people may write us off for getting a late start but we have to set goals for ourselves and if we set a goal of just surviving that would be, to me, underachieving from what we set out to do in the last two years.'' One of the biggest concerns will be filling the void left by departing goalkeeper Troy Hall, last season's captain. Basden feels it is more important now to boost the confidence of the players who remain, including Hall's eventual replacement.

"I know Troy is a big loss but whoever takes his place I will have to make him feel comfortable and that he's a part of the team,'' Basden said.

"We just have to go forward from here. I just want everyone to know we do have a coach, we are training and now we can move on and let the past be the past.'' St. George's will also be hurting in the goal scoring department, having lost Gregg Foggo and Ricky Hill while strikers Clay Smith and Dean Minors are not expected to play this season because of their involvement with the national cricket team.

Still, Basden prefers to look on the bright side. "To be honest relegation is not in my vocabulary right now,'' he insists. "We're thinking positive. Let everyone write us off.'' FOR KEEPS -- Earl Basden, who lifted St. George's into the First Divison four years ago, has taken over as coach with the intent of keeping them there.