It came as no surprise when Bermuda Football Association announced this week three redundancies due to financial constraints.What did come as a surprise is that one of them was Academy Director Devarr Boyles.Few would question the accomplishments of Boyles since he signed a full-time contract. He’s worked well with the youngsters involved in the Academy, has shown passion for his work and according to some of those coaches who have worked alongside him, is on the right track in his attempt to raise the standard of the local game.Nahki Wells, Reggie Lambe and more recently Jonte Smith, have signed pro contracts overseas and with Boyles’ help more could follow that road.But it now seems that the BFA’s development programme is in limbo.With limited funds available, it’s difficult to to see how the foundation Boyles’ has laid can be built on.And it also raises the question whether the governing body will go ahead and hire a full-time national coach. They’ve said nothing to the contrary this week so it has to be assumed that plan will be put in place, and if so, will the man appointed assume the same duties as those of Boyles as well as taking care of all of the different age-group national teams.BFA president Larry Mussenden said the BFA had already started “the process of restructuring and realigning all job functions with their remaining staff as well as the Executive Council Members.”He added: “There will be some challenges as we readjust programmes, goals and objectives with the current level of Government funding and other resources available to football.”It will be interesting to see how they can go about that without diminishing football’s growth.As it stands now, the Bermuda Hogges double as the senior national team, owner Paul Scope working in tandem with the BFA.But Boyles has been an integral part of that arrangement. He’s acted as interim senior national coach.With all due respect, the release of financial director Gideon Kigotho and Programme Developer Coordinator Ian Rawlins won’t affect local football nearly as much as the departure of a Youth DirectorIt may increase the workload of others but they will cope.A treasure is elected at the AGM and it has to be asked what duties that member has been performing with a financial director in place.Former broadcaster Rawlins has acted as a public relations officer as much as he has been involved in other capacities. That work can be absorbed by the current staff.But can the same be said of an Academy Director?It’s difficult to criticise the BFA as they have found themselves working with limited funds following a huge cutback in Government’s annual grant.But they will face some hard decisions.Will the Academy continue under volunteer coaches, or at least part-time coaches, or with the national coach take over Boyles’ responsibilities, if indeed the BFA decide to make that appointment?Shaun Goater has risen to the top of the pile among those wanting that post.But Goater’s revelation in the UK media this week that his ultimate goal is to coach in England at a much higher level that would be required here, may have questioned his commitment to Bermuda football over the long term, not that anyone could blame him should an offer present itself from overseas.Kyle Lightbourne, another candidate for the BFA national coaching post, has in the past also revealed his ambition to work back in the UK.Both are former English League pro with the necessary contacts.Of others in the frame, Andrew Bascome might appear a logical appointment given his success at club level and his work with youngsters.But it remains to be seen just how the void left by Boyles’ departure will be filled, if it can be.Hopefully the BFA’s plan will be unveiled sooner than later. The Digicel Caribbean Cup is just around the corner. Who will be in charge?Football has enjoyed more success than its fellow national sport in recent years.It would be a shame if that work came to a grinding halt.* * * *IF Goater wants to achieve his ambition to coach in the big leagues, nothing will have whetted his appetite more than his former club Manchester City’s victory over title rivals Manchester United this week.The former City striker was in the stands to watch a match that attracted a bigger worldwide TV audience than any other this season.And the Sky Blues’ win will have brought memories flooding back to the season when he stole spotlight in both derby games.In the first, he bagged two goals in a famous victory and in the return fixture, he came on as substitute to head home after just nine seconds on the field a last-gasp equaliser notquite as powerful as that by Vincent Kompany that gave City the points on Monday.But even Kompany can’t match Goater’s record, nor many others, of three goals in one season against the eventual Premier League champions.If free scoring Nakhi Wells wants to set himself a target while playing as a pro in England, as unrealistic as it may seem, that might be one he could aim for.ADRIAN ROBSON