retiring from the soccer scene for a year.

There was no fanfare when the Class Two referee performed his duties in the middle of the Second Division game between Devonshire Cougars and Southampton Rangers at Devonshire Rec. field.

Crockwell made a decision to quit refereeing altogether after admitting to have made a wrong decision to award PHC what turned out to be a match-winning penalty against Devonshire Colts in a First Division game at Frog Lane on February 16. Kyle Lightbourne converted the spot-kick for PHC.

After the controversial incident, which led to a fruitless protest by Colts, the 29-year-old Policeman acknowledged his error then left the game because "there was too much violence in soccer and that no respect was shown for the referees.'' Crockwell had a bad experience as a referee seven years ago when a BAA player attempted to run him down with his car following at game at St. David's.

But yesterday he said that he had no reservations about coming back. "I always had intentions of coming back. I still have some ambitions and goals as far as refereeing is concerned,'' said Crockwell, who joined the ranks of the Bermuda Football Referees Association back in 1984.

Crockwell said that he had to make no adjustments during Sunday's game and pointed out that everything went as well as expected during his comeback.

While it was his first game as a referee in a year, it was not his first taste of the soccer scene for he had acted as a linesman during three First Division games on other occasions this month.

With a chronic shortage of referees in Bermuda soccer the return of Crockwell was welcomed by Aldwyn Savery, director of referees, who watched Sunday's match. Said Savery: "We are delighted to have him back, not only because of the extreme shortage of referees that exists but because he is one of the most talented people we have around.

"I saw some of the game he did on Sunday and noted just how timely he stepped in with cautions before things got out of hand. I hope the problems he has had with the association are now behind him and that we can now all work towards helping him reach his full potential.'' The Bermuda Football Association has brought forward the final round of First and Second division matches so as to clear the final Sunday of their league season for the Derbyshire tour in March.

Matches scheduled for March 28 have been brought forward to March 14 and the FA Cup second semifinal scheduled for that date has been switched to Saturday (night), March 27.

The Friendship Trophy and Second Division Shield finals, which were originally scheduled for Sunday, April 4 will now be held on Friday, April 2 at the National Stadium.

STUART CROCKWELL -- Back in charge.