MR Onions and Robin Hood will compete in the First Division this season after they were accepted into the league at a meeting of full member clubs.

And Hood boss Paul Scope has backed rivals Onions to be challenging for promotion to the Premier Division at the first time of asking.

The two former Commercial League clubs were granted entry into the First Division at a Special Congress Meeting on Monday night, were the proposal to accept the two sides was passed by 13 votes to two.

Only Paget and X-Roads, the two sides with the worst records in the First Division last season, voted against allowing Hood and Onions into the Bermuda Football Association's re-organised league structure.

Scope, and Onions manager Phil Anderson both welcomed the decision, and said their teams were looking forward to the challenge that lay ahead.

"The boys are chomping at the bit," said Scope.

"They've been doing some beach training and are desperate to get cracking because the new season isn't that far away."

And Scope backed rivals Onions, the side that pipped his team to the Commercial League title last year, to be challenging for promotion when the business end of the new season comes around next April.

"Both teams should be able to compete in the First Division next season," said Scope.

"But I think immediately that Onions are better equipped than us and will be challenging for promotion. They won the (Commercial) league last year, and have more than held their own against Premier Division sides in recent years.

"We're not too far behind, and I think we'll be able to challenge for a mid-table finish, but we're not ready to fight for promotion just yet."

While Scope believes Onions have what it takes to make the Premier Division at the first time of asking, Anderson is taking a more cautious approach.

The Onions boss is focusing on fitness and his squad rather than setting targets for his team.

"We are looking forward to the new challenge that we will be facing, against strong opposition," said Anderson.

"We have commenced our pre-season, and the lads are keen and enthusiastic on the move into the First Division and looking forward to our first season.

"Turnout has been good, with a few new faces from a couple of ex-commercial teams, such as Adam Shaw (BAA), Kevin Ronaldson (Lobster Pot) and Mick Ward (Lobster Pot), which will help strengthen the team.

"I will be concentrating on fitness to ensure that we are in good shape for start of the season as I think that will be the biggest difference between Commercial league and the First Division.

"Once fitness is good we can look at set up and tactics."