THE first one was the World Rugby Classic. And in April some of the finest former cricket players will arrive on the island for the 20-20 World Cricket Classic. Now thoughts are turning to Bermuda hosting a World Football Classic.

In fact Bermuda could become the main country in the world for Classic sports.

"I see no reason why we shouldn't," said John Kane, the man behind the hugely popular World Rugby Classic which started in 1988. "After all we were the ones who coined the phrase Classic ? we were the ones who first used it and it would be great to build on."

Having a Football Classic is not a new idea. But it never got off the ground, said Jon Beard, head of the technical committee of the Bermuda Football Association and also chairman of the Island Games.

He said: "We have always wanted to have a Football Classic and I know it is something that we will continue to look at ? it is something we would like to do. But the problem is getting the right contacts."

Kane agreed. He said: "The biggest thing that is needed in anything like this is who can actually get the players ? who has the contacts. I have had many guys come up to me over the years asking to have a Cricket Classic but I haven't been able to because I never had the contact with the players."

Beard said: "Just look at what John Kane has done with the World Rugby Classic ? it is hugely popular. Thousands come out to watch it every year and hopefully we will see the same thing with the 20-20 World Cricket Classic in April. I think there is a big demand to have a World Football Classic. One of the problems is getting the right people out here to play. If we did have a Football Classic I would venture to say it would probably become the most popular of all the Classics because football is the most popular sport in Bermuda. If we could get players who are household names to come out, the fans would definitely turn out to watch them."

Kane said that one problem with having a Football Classic is that football players have been professional for so long now.

He explained: "The problem with soccer is getting the right calibre of people out here bearing in mind that you are dealing with professionals. I know rugby and cricket players are also professionals but they probably are closer to the amateur status and amateur era than soccer players."

Beard said with Classic sports tournaments now becoming more popular it would be a good time for Bermuda to try again to host a Football Classic.

"Some years ago Classic tournaments were not really up and running but they are now. I know in England many ex-pros now go around and play games. It all depends on how you would format it. If you could get a Classic Spurs team, a Classic Arsenal team and a Classic Manchester United team I am sure it would be a great success. But people would have to bear in mind that the players can't perform as did they at their peak.

"Bermuda is an ideal place for Classic sports. These players come out here and also enjoy themselves ? the weather, the beaches, the golf courses, good hotels ? all those things would attract them to Bermuda."

And as far as the problem with having contacts with former players, Beard and Kane both said Bermuda could now make use of former West Ham great Clyde Best as well as Shaun Goater and national team coach Kyle Lightbourne ? all of whom played at the highest level in England.

"We have people who have contacts now," said Beard.

Kane said he suggested to Government about 15 years ago to make November a Classic month in Bermuda.

"It was something I did suggest to Government. People would automatically know that something was going on in Bermuda in November. And it is not only rugby, cricket and soccer that could be Classic tournaments. Now that we have the (Astroturf) hockey field at the National Sports Centre there could be a Hockey Classic."