by EZRA STUART

NEWLY PROMOTED Division 1 side Cosmos Football Club have acquired the services of a new coach in the English-trained Lennux Ferdinand.

Ferdinand kicked off his coaching stint at the team's training ground in Speightstown, St Peter, last week and said he was looking forward to coaching the improving outfit in the new Barbados Football Association's season which starts next month.

"I am extremely excited about this opportunity to continue the growth of the club. I expect the team to have an excellent season by holding its own in the First Division. If we end the season above mid-table it will be a great bonus achievement for the club in our first season. But, for now, I will settle for holding our own in the division," he said.

"I have been working on and off with the lads for two weeks now considering the post. At first, I didn't see myself working in the adult football again due
to the lack of willingness and commitment shown from players," he said.

Ferdinand, a youth football academy director who has been living in St Philip since coming over from England, said he only accepted the offer to coach the side after being convinced by senior team members of their ambition.

"I am guessing the word has gone around now since we had a great turnout in training. Right now I am still getting to know the players, positions and so on. From what I've seen there is still more room for improvement, but we have something to work with and I am confident it will come together.

"I have no idea what we are up against in this division. I've been told it's a very hard and physical division, this is why I mentioned we need to hold our own," Ferdinand said.

Ferdinand said he would also be looking to enhance the club's existing coaching staff.

"There are a few coaches I have worked with in the past six months that I have in mind since moving from the UK and I am hoping to convince them to join me," he said.