Andrew Bascome has conceded he was left with no choice but to withdraw FC Bascome Bermuda from the 2021 USL League Two campaign.

Because of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, the league and club determined that international travel restrictions and considerations would have made it difficult for the club to accommodate fixtures in Bermuda during the upcoming season. As a result, FC Bascome Bermuda will defer participation in the league until 2022.

“Though we are disappointed to have to defer our entry into USL League Two, and all the great opportunities it will provide Bermuda's football community, our No 1 priority is the safety, health and wellbeing of everyone,” said Bascome, the club’s president and director of football.

“Because of what is still happening with the pandemic, we were left with no real choice but to defer our participation until the 2022 season.”

Meanwhile, the league has voiced its support after the announcement of the decision.

“FC Bascome Bermuda are a tremendous community organisation and we fully support their decision,” said Joel Nash, the USL League Two vice-president.

“We remain confident that when the time is right for the club to make its on-field debut in League Two, it will immediately show what a unique and valuable asset it can be for Bermudian football.”

Despite the setback, Bascome is focusing on the positives of having an extended period to prepare for the club’s delayed debut in the league.

“With most things I try to make of the best of a bad situation,” he added. “We will use the time wisely to get ourselves into a good position for when we do start competing.

“The delay gives us more time to put our team together and have a proper look at players on island who could be part of the squad.

“It’s still vital that we have a core of local players and we will work together with the Bermuda Football Association and the clubs to see what we can do.

“Obviously, we are still waiting for the Covid-19 situation to settle down, but once it does we will focus again on getting our heads down and moving forward with putting a team together and holding regular sessions to identify players.”

While they have been forced to withdraw from the league campaign, Bascome confirmed the local franchise still intends to compete in the USL Academy Cup tournament to be held in Florida next year.

“We are aiming to build an even better and more prepared presence, and we are still plaining to go ahead and participate in USL Academy Cup events in 2021,” he said.