Karl Roberts has declined an offer to coach Boulevard Blazers.

In a recent interview with The Royal Gazette, Shane Powell, the Boulevard president, said that Roberts was now in charge of the club’s senior football team.

However, former Somerset Trojans defender Roberts said that he was unable to commit to the role offered to him by Andrew Bascome, the Boulevard technical director, because of family commitments.

“I thought it was spoken out of turn,” Roberts said. “Andrew asked me if I was interested but I told him time is not on my side. I just don’t have the time for it because of family commitments.”

Neither Powell nor Bascome could be reached for comment.

It remains unclear who will be at the helm for Boulevard’s crucial final Dudley Eve Trophy group B match against PHC Zebras at Police Field tomorrow, which will determine the group winners along with the remaining semi-final spot available. North Village, Hood and PHC have already qualified.

PHC need only a draw to win the group, while a point is all Boulevard require to pip Devonshire Cougars for the remaining semi-final berth.

Cougars need the Zebras to beat Boulevard by three goals to make the last four on goal difference.

PHC will again be without experienced defender Na’eem Griffith, who is off island, and midfielder Cory Booth, who has returned to studies abroad, but on present form are the firm favourites going into tomorrow’s clash.

Still, Scott Morton, the Zebras coach, is not taking the Blazers lightly.

“We definitely won’t be taking anything for granted against Boulevard, who are always a tough team for anybody,” Morton said.

“They have a lot of talented players that play with a lot of heart.”

Village play Hood in the remaining group A match to decide the group winners.

John Barry Nusum, the Hood coach, said that his team are going all out for the victory.

“It’s important to win the group to be able to set a tone so we want to win,” Nusum said. “We are taking it as the rest of the games whereas this is a point for us to progress on the fitness side of it as well as getting to know what we need to do and how to play together.”

Randy Spence, the North Village assistant coach, said his team also have their sights on topping the group.

“We are playing to decide who wins the group which is important because the winner plays the runner up from the other group in the semi-finals,” he said. “We want to win the group and send out a message.”

Village thrashed Hood 7-0 in the group stage of last year’s Dudley Eve Trophy.

PHC face Boulevard at 3pm, while Hood against Village kicks off at 5pm.