resigned as head coach of North Village on Thurday.

Yesterday, Baxter confirmed that he was no longer holding the reigns at the North Shore club but declined to say why.

"I prefer not to say anything further at this point in time, I'd like to sit down with my club and talk about it first,'' said Baxter, who was named coach of the year following the 1995-96 season, when he led Village through an undefeated league campaign (12-6-0) and second place behind Vasco.

Club secretary Wendell Lindsay also confirmed that Village are now in the market for a new coach.

"We have received verbal communication from the head coach that he wishes to resign,'' said Lindsay, who also would not elaborate as to Baxter's motives.

"It's not the preferred position, considering that we're halfway through the season, but these things happen and life goes on.

"It's (resignation) been accepted. We can't force a person to stay if they want to pursue other interests.'' This season has not nearly compared to that of a year ago, with the Red Devils all but out of contention, struggling among the middle of the pack in fifth place with a 4-6-2 record and having been banished from all cup competitions, the latest being the FA Cup, when they were embarrassed by Second Division Hotels.

Sources said that the Hotels match was the "straw that broke the camel's back,'' after Baxter was forced to continually struggle against player apathy towards training and instruction.

Ironically, those were similar circumstances Baxter's predecessor, Robert Calderon -- now with Hotels -- said he battled against during his lone season in charge.

Baxter's resignation follows that of Gary Darrell, now assistant coach of the national team, who surrendered his position as the head man at Southampton Rangers just prior to the season.

Lindsay added that assistant coach Leroy Wilson would take over for Sunday's match against St. George's at Wellington Oval on an interim basis and that they'd be hunting for a permanent replacement between now and their next match March 2.

In tonight's action, meanwhile, defending champions Vasco try to put the pieces back together on their title-chasing machine against second place Dandy Town.

The Portuguese club have been wracked in recent weeks by infighting among their members, with matters boiling over following an FA Cup loss to Wolves, with Dwight Basden and Albert Wolffe coming to blows and windows being smashed inside the dressing room at Devonshire Rec.

Add to that the loss of forward Corey Hill to the national cricket squad in preparation for the ICC Trophy competition and a hobbling Sammy Swan and Vasco could be ripe for the picking.

A loss combined with a win on Sunday by leaders Devonshire Colts would be a devastating blow to either side, while a draw is likewise of little benefit.

Town stand on 21 points, four behind Colts with six matches remaining, while Vasco have 20 and see their chances for a repeat fading fast.

On Sunday the feature match takes place at BAA where Colts tackle one-time leaders Southampton, who have gone into their customary late-season slide.