Local computer consultants CCS Group have withdrawn their sponsorship from the Dudley Eve football tournament, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

But it is now understood Bermuda Football Association (BFA) are currently in negotiations with a new potential sponsor for the annual tournament honouring the legacy of the late BFA stalwart.

A spokesperson from CCS Group confirmed yesterday that the company had in fact discontinued it's $10,000 sponsorship for the popular festive competition which saw participants playing for cash incentives.

It was also learned yesterday that CCS have already agreed to fund Western Stars Sports Club's youth football programme to the tune of $10,000 over the next three years.

"CCS Group have shifted their funding away from the Dudley Eve Champions Cup in favour of supporting Dandy Town's youth football programme because we are always happy to support the youth of Bermuda," a company spokesperson told The Royal Gazette.

"CCS sponsored the event for the past two years and it was a good thing. It was a great tournament and I wish we could have funded both. But we are a relatively small company in the Bermuda marketplace. And so when it came down to making a decision, Dandy Town's well -structured programme was more in line with what we technically support."

The original Dudley Eve Trophy tournament came into existence in 1978-79 with Devonshire Colts emerging as inaugural winners after beating North Village 3-1.

In late 2003 the tournament was altered to include overseas touring teams and in January 2004 Barbados became the first and last overseas team to win the local tournament before CCS Group stepped in and renamed the tournament the Dudley Eve Champions Cup and again altered the format to include for the first time First Division clubs in late 2004.

Dandy Town and Devonshire Colts won their respective divisions in 2005 while last year saw Devonshire Cougars and Wolves walk away victoriously.

When reached yesterday, BFA president Larry Mussenden said he has "mixed feelings" over CCS's decision to sever ties with the annual tournament.

"CCS have informed us that they have chosen not to sponsor the Dudley Eve Tournament any longer, and that they are instead looking to sponsor a youth football programme of one of our own football clubs," Mussenden said.

"We have mixed feelings about this and are slightly disappointed that CCS no longer sponsor the Dudley Eve tournament because we enjoyed working along with them and they also added new life to the tournament. And for this we are forever appreciative.

"But we are now in the process of holding discussions with a new sponsor and looking to increase the prize earnings for the competition."

St. George's Colts footballers Allan Douglas Jr and Detroy Smith both received two-match suspensions and were put on probation for the remainder of the 2006-07 football season after being found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute by a BFA disciplinary committee.

The pair both landed themselves in hot water during an October 15 East End derby with X Roads at Garrison Field where they allegedly hurled foul and abusive language towards the match official.

X Roads scored three late goals to salvage a hard-earned draw against St. George's who allowed victory to slip through their fingers.