Former Bradford City favourite Ces Podd leaves for his native St Kitts on Friday to take charge of the national team.

And if he makes a success of his dual role as Director of Football and team manager, during a two month trial period, he will be asked to stay on a long term contract.

Podd, 45, has been Leeds United's Football in the Community Officer since 1989. He takes charge of St Kitts and Nevis for the Shell-Umbro Gold Cup tournament, which involves all the Caribbean islands.

If his team qualify from matches against the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe and the British Virgin Islands, they could find themselves facing World Champions Brazil in the next stage.

Podd is excited by the challenge of developing football on the island of his birth. He says: ''My present employers - Leeds United and the Professional Footballers Association - have been very good about it and have even said they will keep my job open for me in case the project in St Kitts doesn't work out.

"It is a two month secondment with a view to taking the post full time.''

Podd has called up several English-based players for the tournament, including Guiseley's Des Hazel and former Nethermoor star Dean Walling who is now with Lincoln.

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