Kenny Thompson is hoping to pick up where he left off when he returns to Bernard Park as football director of North Village next season.

Thompson has held the same position at BAA since July 2010, rebuilding the programme and overseeing their promotion to the Premier Division last season.

Now a fresh challenge awaits one of the island’s top coaches as he returns to Village whom he coached 20 years ago.

Thompson will also be responsible for coaching the senior team, taking over as head coach from Randy Spence, who held the post last season. Spence, who played under Thompson at Village, will remain as assistant coach.

“It’s with great pride and joy as I give thanks to the executive and management of the North Village Community Club for the opportunity to return as football director of the North Village Community Club,” Thompson said in a statement.

“This club has a special place for me, having played my last full season here as a player during the 1989/90 season before embarking on a coaching and management career. During that season, I felt the warmness of the North Village community that ensures our lifelong connection.

“In 1997, I was appointed football director of North Village and held the position before transitioning to the role of youth director of the Bermuda Football Association in 2002. During that period, we developed and built a youth programme that has since changed the landscape for youth football in Bermuda and led to a sustained period of dominance for the club in senior football soon after.

“With much of the structure of that time still in place, my return to North Village is aimed at enhancing a programme that is organised, consistent and both challenging and fun for ambitious and recreational players alike. This enhancement of the programme built on all of our personal improvements over the years has us seeing the programme as Vision 2.0.”

Thompson added: “As was the case in 1997, while directing and managing the youth programme, I’ll also be responsible for coaching the North Village Premier Division team as well, a role I am looking forward to with excitement, to share experiences with the players as well as in mentoring my good friend Randy Spence whom I coached during the same role I previously held with North Village.

“A major part of the programme is to manage the coaching team at North Village which is designed to raise the standards of the technical instruction that the players receive which benefits the expectations and enjoyment of the coaches and, most importantly, all of the players of the programme.”

Village had a disappointing season last term, finishing eighth in the table and failing to qualify for the Dudley Eve Trophy after winning just five of their 18 league matches. The last of their eight league titles came in 2010-11, now Thompson is vowing to raise standards and expectations at the club.

“The North Village family can expect a first-class programme that behaves with professional standards,” he added “We know that football has tremendous appeal and power and is highly influential in the lives of everyone involved.

“We aim to build a programme where we can share excitement with players and fans through a well-rounded quality programme that is challenging and encouraging. A programme that upholds its responsibility to provide qualified coach and management support for effective guidance for players and everyone associated with the club based on positive on and off the field values.

“My discussions with the executive and management team of the North Village Community Club have been detailed and I am excited by the vision and ambition of everyone associated with the club. I am both proud and happy to join this great club with its great legacy of success on and off of the field.”

Dill welcomes Thompson back and expects further success under the former Bermuda midfielder. “On behalf of the North Village Community Club board of directors, we are delighted and excited to have Kenny Thompson rejoin our team as our football director and senior coach of the North Village Premier Division team,” Dill said.

“We call this Vision 2.0! Kenny held a similar position with North Village from 1997 to 2002, in which time he was responsible for the restructure and upgrade of our entire football programme, from the grass roots through to our senior Premier Division team programmes.

“We experienced a high level of success in all areas with Kenny and our team of coaches during his last tenure with North Village and we are looking forward to raising our levels of standards, development and competitiveness throughout.”

Dill added: “We take this opportunity to thank coach Randy Spence for the very courageous job during the 2018-2019 season as head coach, particularly under challenging conditions.

“We would also like to thank our current youth technical director, Marlon Dill, and youth coaching staff for the great work of strengthening our youth programme last season. As a united team, they will be under the mentorship and direction of the new football director for their continuous education and certification.”