If there is any such thing as luck, Southampton Rangers can count themselves as the luckiest team in the Premier Division.

The end of last season saw Rangers confirmed for at least a term among the lower reaches of the First Division when, needing victory against Somerset, they failed to achieve such.

However fate provided a kind, and welcome, reprieve, with the withdrawal of Vasco da Gama and the desire of the Bermuda Football Association to have eight teams in the top flight meaning that Rangers were spared the ignominy of the drop.

Hence the Southampton club, perhaps better known for producing some of the Island's best cricketers as opposed to soccer players, aim to take full advantage of the good fortune and prove last year to be an mere anomaly.

That will take some doing, with history painting a picture of perennial strugglers, more apt to defending against relegation than challenging for honours, whether league or cup competitions.

And having not been able to attract any viable transfer players, while losing one in the form of Nashon Smith to Somerset and also seeing Alfred Simmons and Don Vickers depart for Paget, it would appear more struggles lie ahead.

Also checking through the departure gate during the off-season was head coach Earl Basden, whose promotion at US Air meant that he had to sacrifice his post at Rangers.

It was hoped that the club could lure former national coach Gary Darrell back to the sidelines, but the burden -- or joy -- of running a thriving carpet laying business resulting in him turning down any full-time coaching offer.

Darrell, though did accept a role of overseeing the programme, taking in both the junior and senior teams.

"I am overseeing the soccer programme this season, Tyrone Williams and Olin Jones are the coaches,'' said Darrell, who guided Bermuda to the furthest point ever in the World Cup back in 1996. "I couldn't commit to actually coaching the team, but I will be helping to set up a programme for the development of soccer at the club.

"I was talking to the club president, they want something that will last more than a year at Southampton Rangers -- something that they can build on and not just go into a season with no real planning.'' Darrell's problem is time, there just doesn't seem to be enough in the day for work, family and football. Still it is hoped that the one-time professional with Washington Diplomats of the North American Soccer League can find a way.

"I will help wherever I can with the seniors and the under-19 and we will look and see if we can eventually get a Bantam team,'' he said. "But the problem is that I can only commit to one night and a Sunday afternoon, not much more. If and when more time becomes available I will see what I can do.'' Ironically, Rangers was the last side Darrell coached, that being two years ago.

Rookie coach Williams has thus had to go it alone so far, as Jones continues his involvement with the cricket team that has one, possibly two, games left in an elongated season.

Jones has extensive experience on the playing side, having been a key cog in midfield for much of the past two decades, and will want to impart much of that knowledge upon the troops in hopes that they find the formula to not just survive, but thrive this time around.

Key player: Janeiro Tucker, a vital striker for Rangers.

FAST FACTS Head Coaches: Tyrone Williams/Olin Jones Home field: Southampton Oval Team colours: Blue/White Key arrivals: None Key departures: Alfred Simmons, Don Vickers, Nashon Burrows Predicted finish: Eighth 1999-2000 finish: Ninth 1999-2000 honours: None