Boulevard find themselves languishing precariously near the bottom of the First Division.

But the feeling within the club is that they are not by any means falling to pieces as some may be inclined to think.

A frustrating season took another sad turn when forward Sinclair (Sandy) Boyles suffered a broken leg in Sunday's humiliating 4-0 loss to league leaders PHC at St. Davod's and the club must be wondering when their woes will end.

The injury to Boyles follows closely on the heels of the setback that veteran Cyril Steede received two weeks ago when a broken leg apparently ended his career. These two injuries along with further serious injuries to key players like centre-half Wayne Richardson and utility player Neil Robinson combined with the "unavailability'' of coach Andrew Bascome has already made these tumultuous times for the club.

Despite the many problems they have encountered, president Albert Richardson is one who remains optimistic.

"We are not dead by any means,'' said Richardson yesterday. "The season is far from being over, we still have two games left in the first round and who knows what will happen.'' He added: "It is too early to count us out of anything, I am sure that we will be able to bounce back after this slow start. I recall a season when we lost something like seven games in a row only to recover and finish seventh.'' Nevertheless, Boulevard are almost certain of giving up the only title they won last season -- the Dudley Eve Trophy -- if they do not take maximum points in their next two matches against Hamilton Parish and Devonshire Colts.

Being in a position like this is not new to Boulevard recalled the president who claimed that they have had their experiences of fighting through hard times in order to survive. It is the nature of the club to climb from adversity with style, he noted.

"Our biggest concern of all is to exist as a community club more than anything at all. As far as getting results on the field of play is concerned we view the present situation as a temporary slump when a team goes through the usual ups and downs.'' Although Boulevard had more players leave their ranks this summer than any time in the past, Richardson does not feel that the losses have contributed to their mediocre performance this season. Except for the departure of left-back Albert Caisey he believes that they have not been hurt by the transfer of anyone else, including 1990-91 MVP David Bascome.

He said he does however feel that the Steede's setback has an effect on the club, especially since it will probably mark the end of a career -- one that the former coach planned to extend by making a comeback this season after sitting out the past four.

"He has said that it is the end for him and it is sad to see such a good player go out like this. Cyril has made a vast contribution to the club and to local soccer in general,'' said Richardson.

The status of coach Andrew Bascome remains uncertain and Richardson refused to give details of the circumstances regarding his "unavailability.'' But the president assured that the former Bermuda international is still regarded as the team's coach.

"He is unavailable at the moment and his assistant Gary Mallory is doing the job of filling in during the absence of the coach as he should,'' said Richardson.

Boulevard may be wobbling in the minds of many, but they feel that the situation is not serious enough to press the panic button...at least not at this stage.

TOUGH BREAK -- Assistant coach Gary Mallory helps others carry Sinclair Boyles off the field after suffering a broken leg in Sunday's game against PHC.