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Tyrell hungry to prove his worth

Perfectly poised: Tevahn Tyrell shows off his ball-juggling skills while away on international duty with Bermuda. The Somerset Trojans striker is hoping to force his way back into Kyle Lightbourne’s plans having returned to the island from a short spell in England (Photograph by Antoine Augustus)

Tevahn Tyrell is rediscovering his hunger for football again having returned to Bermuda from an ill-fated spell in England.

The 22-year-old Somerset Trojans striker made his first appearance since returning from a short spell at National League Division Two outfit Durham City in England, in a 2-0 league defeat by former club Robin Hood on Sunday evening.

Tyrell, who aims to force his way back into national squad reckoning, spoke of his relief at being back on island after struggling with a number of aspects of life away, including the uncertain nature of the Covid-19 crisis, with Britain still recording more than 570,000 active cases as of yesterday.

“Looking at the Covid-19 situation in the UK over the summer, I decided I was more comfortable coming back to Bermuda to regroup,” said Tyrell, who left Durham in late August after six months with the club.

“I’ve had bad experiences over the past couple of years going back and forth to England, and elsewhere in Europe, for trials and things not working out.

“That constant struggle can have an effect on you mentally. Even before I left for Durham, I joined Robin Hood, but I wasn’t starting and things just weren’t working for me.

“I lost a bit of that desire and hunger, but now I just want to get back to being the old me and being hungry to prove myself again.”

Having decided to sever ties with Durham, Tyrell revealed how a strong connection with Dennis Brown, of Somerset, played a significant role in his decision to sign with the club.

“Dennis Brown gave me my first shot in the national set-up. When I was 16 he called me up to the under-20s and we’ve had a good connection ever since,” said Tyrell, who made his Bermuda debut in a draw with Barbados in 2018, before scoring his first international goal in the 12-0 defeat of Sint Maarten during the Concacaf Nations League qualification stage.

“In Dennis, I know he can get the best out of me and Trojans will give me the opportunity of playing time. I feel like I can make an impact here; it’s a great fit for me.

“We have a young squad and I’m enjoying being a leader within the squad to help bring them on. We have some really talented youngsters and it’s a privilege to be able to help them.”

Tyrell hopes his progress will be enough to get back into the thinking of Bermuda coach Kyle Lightbourne.

He added: “I’m just determined to work hard, impress for Trojans and try and force my way back into the national squad to show that I’m worthy of playing for Bermuda again.

“I was disappointed to fall out of favour and be dropped from the national squad, but I’m back now and I’m hungry again.

“We have Gold Cup qualifiers and World Cup qualifiers coming up next year, and I believe I can be of use to the squad.”

Tyrell is not the only Bermudian striker to have left Durham City this season after compatriot D’Andre Wainwright opted to sign for league rivals Billingham Synthonia last week.

With the club seemingly going through a torrid time both on and off the field, Tyrell spoke of his desire to see them recover.

“It’s a difficult situation at Durham because they had some really great plans, but the Covid-19 situation has really affected the club,” he said.

“I have huge respect for [director of football] John Woolnough who set everything up in myself going there, but financially I know they are struggling and the entire club has been affected massively.

“Because there are no fans at the games and sponsors have pulled out, the club are struggling; it hits small clubs hard.

“I hope the club can recover because they really had a great vision. It’s hard to see but it happens in football, especially in non-League.

“Those clubs rely so heavily on sponsorship and income from the gates. When that revenue stops it’s a difficult situation.”

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Published October 13, 2020 at 2:17 pm (Updated October 13, 2020 at 2:16 pm)

Tyrell hungry to prove his worth

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