In plain ‘View’ - Bernard eyes National Premier League glory with Stars of the East

Ludlow Bernard, the man who will lead Harbour View Football club into the 2020-21 National Premier League season, said his aim is to not only make the team competitive again, but also to win the title.

Since last winning the title in 2013, Harbour View have struggled to compete for the championship, making the playoffs only twice during that time.

They have also been through five coaches over the last two seasons, with very little difference in results.

However, Bernard, who returned to the sidelines towards the end of last season, after two years, and was close to a securing a play-off spot, believes he has the formula to make the club a season-to-season title contender again.

"Harbour View always aims high, so we are looking for a championship," he said. "My role is to put it all together and put a competitive product on the field.

"My approach is not an overnight quick fix, its going to take time. I have set myself an agenda and I'm making sure all the pieces are in place.

"Winning the league is indeed a priority, but I first need to make Harbour View Football Club competitive again, albeit with youngsters."

Harbour View registered 20 players under the age of 20 for this season and part of Bernard's job is help these young talent make the transition to the senior team and establish a competitive unit for the next few years.

"I am very enthusiastic and confident about the youngsters and their ability in the upcoming competition," Bernard said.

"After a year or two in the league, they should be in a better position to challenge. But we need to get back to a situation where we can be seen and identified as a leading club in the Caribbean, not just administratively, but also on the football field.

"We are not very unaccustomed to Harbour View being in this position and I see where there needs to be that foundation that used to be there."

Having experienced players to guide the youngsters on the field will be crucial, and Bernard will look to seniors Nicholas Beckett, Romario Campbell, and McKauley Tulloch to lead that charge.

"That may be one of the downsides to what we are doing and part of the risk we are taking," he said.

"There has been some overhauling with the team, but we have maintained players we think can provide the leadership and seniority required to guide these young players.

"It means the responsibility has been left up to Beckett, Campbell, and Tulloch. We want all three of them to not only transform the team, but infiltrate it with a certain degree of professionalism."

Bernard said that he also intends to assist with the development of coaches Sean Fraser and Donald Stewart.

Harbour View have won the Premier League four times.