Association to call a special meeting to decide on how many teams will compete in the First Division this season.

The BFA's recent restructuring plans called for the First Division to be cut from 10 to eight teams for the 1999-2000 season. But Hotels' decision to withdraw through lack of players has thrown the BFA into a quandary.

Now, with the start of the new season only weeks away, the governing body must decide whether to maintain 10 teams in the top division or leave it with nine.

"There will be a special meeting because obviously we've got a special situation,'' said BFA president Neville Tyrrell yesterday.

He admitted the meeting was a priority with the new season approaching and the schedule needing to be finalised.

"I would very much like it (decision) to be presented at our executive meeting on Wednesday and that's one of the reasons why I'm expecting that decision to take place either late today or tomorrow.'' The association were informed of Hotels' decision to pull out of the league last Friday, after they failed to generate sufficient interest among players.

Earlier last week they confirmed Nick Jones as coach but a poorly attended training session last Thursday forced the club to fold.

It is the second time in five years that Hotels have pulled out of the league while in the First Division and last week their president Andrew Starling hinted that it could be final.

"To be honest I think the BFA would be aloof to have us come back for a third time,'' said Starling on Friday.

But yesterday Tyrrell had not ruled out Hotels returning, as other teams have done.

"I would like to think there is always that possibility,'' said the president. "I don't think we're going to be so hard and fast to say "okay, you've done it again, you can't come back again'. We're here to develop and promote football, so my view is, under the right circumstances, I think we would welcome them back.'' Relegated Somerset Trojans will be watching developments with keen interest.

For it was five years ago that St. David's, then relegated, were allowed to keep their spot in the top flight when Hotels packed up.

This time, however, the restructuring plans could work against Trojans who are facing their second season in the Second Division in three years.