and pondered his soccer boots.

It was immediately after Vasco rallied to beat PHC in the second last game of the season and Perinchief, the referee for the match, was changing into his civvies for the last time.

"Won't need these any more,'' he said as he slipped one black sneaker off and began work on the other.

Then he reconsidered. "No, they're still good for gardening,'' he said, laughing at the prospect of life without soccer.

After 34 years in the sport -- the last six as a referee -- Perinchief, 51, confirmed that Sunday's game was his last. He said he had already informed the Bermuda Football Association of his decision.

It has been a tumultuous season for referees, who worked through assaults from players, abuse from fans and then threatened to boycott games at BAA Field out of fears for their safety. Perinchief acknowledged that players have become "a little ruder'' but stressed he was not leaving out of frustration or disgust.

"I've had enough,'' he said simply. "It's just time.'' Perinchief who has held every position within the BFA except president, said his lone regret was leaving the Bermuda Referees Association with another uniform to fill at a time when qualified officials are in demand.

He said he would remove himself from all aspects of soccer except one: That of a fan.

"Next season, there might be a couple of Sundays, when I'm looking for something to do and I might putt around to a game,'' he said.

Perinchief said the highlight of his soccer career came in 1963 when he accepted the Fair Play Trophy from Sir Stanley Matthews on behalf of the Bermuda Junior Football Association.