early next week with his mind more focussed on dealing with his six-a-side tournament this summer rather than the embarrassment of his failed bid to join PHC.

Thompson was among the more than 200 seeking transfers last month, but the Somerset Trojans player was rocked when PHC refused to accept him, leaving the player in somewhat of a bind.

While hiding obvious pain from the development of the transfer bid, the former Bermuda national team player was unwilling to comment on the matter in detail and said that there were people here who he had to "talk with'' before making any real comment.

"The truth of the matter is that I will be going back to school anyway, so my playing time would have been limited,'' said Thompson. "Other than that I would rather reserve my comment until I talk with a few people when I reach home.

"I've heard there has been a lot of talk regarding my transfer, but nobody really knows the truth about it all. There has just been too much hearsay and speculation.'' Thompson is still registered with Somerset Trojans and consequently accepts that he will not be allowed to play for anybody else other than the west enders during the 1093-94 season.

He made a contribution to the Bermuda national squad during the early stages of its recent World Cup campaign before becoming plagued with an injury that saw him lose his place after the away game against Antigua. It was his last appearance with the team. However, while the failure to transfer appears to be a negative, Thompson is nevertheless encouraged by another development, the overwhelming response that his six-a-side tournament has received.

The event, which continues to grow in popularity, kicks off on July 11 and will this year involve several more teams.

The number of teams have increased from 12 to 16, combined with the inaugural under-12 tournament which is expected comprise of eight teams.

The tournaments will run at both Southampton Glebe and Cedar Grove school fields.

"The response has actually been great during the last two years,'' said Thompson, who has been running the tournament at these two venues for that period after holding it on a much smaller venue at White Hill.

"We've always had good support from the players and fans, now we are trying to include the teams who we have not been able to accommodate in the past as well as to get the youngsters involved,'' said Thompson.

"We have had a lot of enquires from the under-12s in the past and we have always believed that they are people who we cannot leave out. So we are encouraged by their interest and are looking forward to their involvement.'' The success of the summer tournament has reached the Washington area and Thompson revealed that there is a strong possibility that American teams could soon become involved.

"I know people here who are very interested in bringing teams to Bermuda, maybe next year we will have an addition of some international teams for the first time,'' he reckoned.

Any other under-12 teams wishing to enter can contact Armel Thomas at 295-5214 (days) or 236-5676 at home.