Bermuda Hogges Withdraw From PDL League
The Bermuda Hogges Football Team will not be participating in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the PDL this season due to insufficient funding.
A press statement from the Hogges said, “After six seasons in the USL, we have advised the League management that we had not raised sufficient sponsorship and the level of funding needed to fulfill its 2013 season obligations.
“We regret the short notice and apologise to all the teams in the Mid Atlantic Division for the inconvenience and wish them the very best for the season and beyond.
“Since our formation in 2007 the Hogges have played over 100 games and brought over a 1000 visitors to the Island. We believe we have fulfilled our mission to “improve football in Bermuda in general and the National Team in particular”.
“We will continue our work in placing players overseas and are particularly enthused over our association with Ilkeston FC. We believe this association will benefit many of our young Bermudian males over the coming years.
“It has been very satisfying to help develop the careers of Khano Smith, Nahki Wells, Freddy Hall, Reggie Lambe and Antwan Russell as well as advising numerous other players on their choices overseas.
The Bermuda Hogges said they would “like to thank our loyal sponsors and the BFA who have effectively operated the team for the last three seasons.”
The Bermuda Football Association [BFA] also issued a statement thanking Paul Scope and the Bermuda Hogges for all the opportunities that were made available for the players and for Bermuda over the years.
“Paul Scope led the Hogges with passion and tireless commitment. He deserves every recognition,” said the BFA. ” Pairing the Bermuda Hogges membership in the USL along with the coaching and administrative support of the BFA was a collaboration that brought mutual benefits.
“We are saddened that the Bermuda Hogges will not be participating and equally saddened for the players and coaching staff who had been preparing for the season. We trust that such preparation will contribute to successful matches against England National ‘C” Team and the NatWest Island Games.”
This is very sad news indeed. It has been a real pleasure watching the Hogges in action, but it has also been very disappointing to see the lack of supporters for Hogges home games despite the fact that they have represented Bermuda extremely well. At the end of the day we only have ourselves to blame for not providing them with the level of support they richly deserved.
Paul Scope has gone way beyond the call of duty in being the inspiration behind providing us with high quality football. Many thanks to Paul and to all the support staff and to all members of our team.
well said CS
True enough, for a country supposedly in love with football, you are a lazy bunch.
Yes, I am not Bermudian, and in my country we get out and watch games. (Spain)
You on the other hand evidently prefer Americas got talent.
big up Paul Scope, and shame on the scrapping thugs that follow the game here.
@ Huberto — shame on the racist thugs that follow the game in Spain.. See comments from Dani Alves and Et’o or simply sit in the stands at many clubs in Spain and hear the obvious racist commentary.. FACT!!!!!
Easy with the lazy stuff Huby – Siesta / 3 hour lunches — 6 + weeks for summer holidays – a general laid back / chillazin demeanour is so very spanish…
Paul Scope put his heart and soul into giving the young men of Bermuda every opportunity to play
soccer in Bermuda and overseas. He was very generous by giving a lot of financial support
to the Hogges and the results show that the team was successful. He helped young Bermudian
men by introducing them to football teams overseas, all opportunities these young men would not
have had if Paul had not stepped in to help them.
Ok, great shame, the Hogges should exist, but one man can’t keep this alive on his own.
THANK YOU PAUL SCOPE. You basically funded this, and whilst this you are as Bermudian as anyone after a very long while here, what’s more amazing is you are British. If we only had a few more like you.
Now Mr Premier, you going to step in?
@ Bermy Boy..please see below facts regarding the Hogges:
* If not for the timely intervention of the BFA in 09 the Hogges would have / most likely folded, given the Hogges significant financial debts
* The former BFA Executive intervened and provided funding for all Hogges travel and the cost of incoming teams. In addition the BFA provided coaches at the BFA’s expense..In short, the BFA paid the vast majority of the Hogges expenses
* The former BFA Exec insisted that the Hogges play at the PDL level as it was in keeping with the BFA’s overall plan – to place significant emphasis on under 23 football ( and below )at the national level
* In doing the above, our under 23 players were exposed to college coaches and MLS teams – again, in keeping with the BFA’s overall objectives
* Prior to the Hogges relationship with the BFA there were major scheduling issues that resulted in players being forced to play either for the Hogges or the nationl team.. The former Exec addressed this matter by joining forces with the Hogges..
So while Scope should be thanked for winning the bid ( versus the bid submitted by a Clyde Best backed group )and for financing the Hogges together with Goater and Lightbourne, rest assured , the Hogges would have died in 09 if not for the timely and significant assistance provided the BFA..
Are you kidding me? The BFA have contributed FA financially.
But now they have their chance, don’t they?
BFA, you gonna let this die??
@ Bermy – simply ask the Hogges management if the BFA contributed significantly, starting in 09 — sounds as though you dont want the facts to get in the way of a good story!!!
Noooooooo
Haway Scopey!! You can bring this back.
And if you can’t, how about businesses/govt sorting this?
Seriously the cash we waste on a bloated civil service……..
Is there any way of finding out how short on funding they were! You never know , some person, business(es) might chip in to make it happen.
Sad to hear the news although I must admit that I am embarrassed that I never saw a game. However, in my defense, I cant ever recall seeing a schedule or advert anywhere.
This team should have never been set up the owners full of ego’s thinking they can come save Bermuda football. Funny now they want to take the credit for the success stories of our foriegn based footballers. I’m glad to see this program fold it never was going work for Bermudians footballers. I hope the David Bascome ISL continues to be a success thank you Lindos Family Market for your support.
You sound bitter.
You aware that the ISL has folded as well? Scope who should be referred to as saint scopey the patron saint of Bermuda football can not do it all on his own.
@ Slow- Scope has been helpful , however there are many Bermudians involved in football that have been instrumental in our youth receiving great opportunities overseas. See the number of kids currently at prep schools on full ( 40k + annually ) or substantial scholarships and attending Univ..
Again – if not for the BFA in 09, the Hogges would have been BBQ long ago…
Seriously Bully , if you think that the ISL is a success, please contact me as I have a million dollar house in Bermuda that I would like to sell to you for a million dollars…
with cricket sucking every penny of funding out of government and the private sector, our only professional sporting team has been destined for failure for some time. Paul and Goater where put in a canoe without paddles from jump…shameful indeed, especially since we have nothing to show for the millions spent on cricket
Nooooo… they were bailed out significantly by the BFA back in 09 — FACT!!!!!!!
OK they were ‘bailed out’ in ’09 but its a good catch for the BFA to take over the franchise and keep Scope on board as an advisor….this team is the only outlet that will expose our young talent to regular competition against North American talent that move on to MLS and the US national team. BFA/Govt please save this franchise
@ Swing – The BFA advised Scope in 09 to – target the under 23′s – hence the move to the PDL- The BFA in 09 encouraged PDL teams to travel with their youth teams to ensure our under 19 players were exposed to a good level of football – The BFA insisted on BFA coaches being in charge of the Hogges to ensure a seamless relationship existed between the Hogges and our under 23 natonal team ..
So again, while Scope has been useful, football in Bermuda has many other important contributors that happen to be Bermudian…
Well that might be true, but none of those Bermudians have attracted any sort of funding.
So I’m backing Paul Scope, because he’s the only one with the b@lls to get this done.
I HOPE ALL IS NOT LOST
Again – Scope was bailed out by the FA.. FACT!!!!!!
@ Bermy Boy – Not only have Bermudians attracted funding but most of the very good things done in football over the past few years is directly tied to a few Bermudians attracting huge amounts of funding –
Again – ask around and don’t be afraid of the truth Grasshopper!
the hogge pen is dead
((((((((((NO AIRHORN))))))))))
thanks for the memories
Is any one that made comments footballers or was?Or did anyone play under him?