The 36-year-old Englishman sat on the bench with the coaching staff at Park Island when Bay United played a friendly match against WaiBOP United early last month.
Ifill trained with the squad and even posed for a photograph with the players at Park Island.
The predominantly youthful Bay United are sitting fourth on the table on 11 points from six games after their first loss, 2-1, away to Waitakere United in their last round before Christmas.
Canterbury United and Team Wellington (five games) are above them on one more point, respectively, while Auckland City are predictably setting the pace on 13 points also with a game in hand.
The Brett Angell-coached Bay United found themselves on the top rung briefly before their loss on the heels of two draws.
The losing finalists from last summer have a new look this season but some fans believe the Ifill-type of presence can make Bay United more versatile.
"He brings a completely different dynamic with his professionalism and how he plays," says a fan anonymously about Ifill who can play in his preferred position up front or on either wings although he isn't as quick as he used to be.
His presence in the central midfield position for some vision and stability in an, at times, stuttering engine room can do wonders.
No doubt that decision rests with Angell who may consider shuffling his deck of cards after the frustrations against Waitakere United where it became obvious the defence also need to iron out creases that yielded two Bay United-disputed penalty kicks.
On the flip side, striker Hamish Watson is beginning to rediscover his old aggressive self to find the net alongside Sam Mason-Smith who is fast assuming the mantle of provider.
Ifill, who has made six appearances for Team Wellington in the 2014-15 premiership, lives with his family in Wairarapa where he was player/coach of the province's winter side in the Lotto Central League.
He runs a Paul Ifill Football Academy in Masterton as well as one in Nelson on the Cook Strait divide.
It is understood Ifill is trying to find windows of opportunity to fulfil impending Bay United duties while meeting the daily demands of his academies although it's not clear where Team Wellington stand on retaining his services.
Born in Brighton, Ifill went on to play for Millwall (1998-2005), making 285 appearances and scoring 40 goals as well as overcoming a career-threatening back injury. A highlight also was playing a match against Manchester United.
From there, Sheffield United (2005-07) beckoned on an 800,000 contract that yielded nine goals from 42 appearances.
However, he fell out of favour in the top flight before Crystal Palace (2007-09) secured his services for a similar fee.
He scored nine goals from 61 appearances but his fitness was coming under intense scrutiny.
Ifill then signed a two-year deal with Phoenix in 2009 that saw him find the net 33 times from 106 appearances before retiring after failing to fully recover from an Achilles tendon injury.
He also played for Barbados (2004-08) through his parents' nationality, scoring six goals from 10 international caps.
