A wrong turn during a trip to buy a second-hand moped may give four guest workers from the UK the chance to meet the Texas brain behind the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys.

For PriceWaterhouseCoopers senior associates Robert Bonehill, Andy Yates, Ian Fieldsend and Mike Baker ended up on a Hamilton Parish beach where they found a bottle containing a message asking the finder to contact Tex Schramm in Dallas, Texas.

Mr. Schramm is believed to be the same Tex Schramm who was the first general manager of the Dallas Cowboys and took them from an expansion team in 1960 to becoming known as `America's Team' by the time he ended his tenure there in 1989.

The four men arrived on the Island at the beginning of October for two-year stints and will be performing audits of insurance and exempt companies while here.

Mr. Bonehill said they came across the bottle when they visited a house where Mr. Yates was going to purchase a second-hand moped from.

"When we were looking for the person's house we stumbled on the private beach attached to the house and the bottle was on the edge of the water.

"We waited until we got back to the house to see what was inside.'' The men had to smash the bottle because they could not get into it and "as soon as it had smashed, the room filled with a very strong smell of port which didn't clear until a few days later'', noted Mr. Bonehill.

The message on the single sheet of paper inside was written in capital letters and read: "The date is June 26, 1998. We are fishing from the boat Key Venture II six miles south west of San Salvador.

"On board are captain Chip Soulek, mate Chuck Bloomer, owners Marty and Tex Schramm, guest Jack Shehan -- Key West, Florida, Norman Wood -- Key West, Florida.

"If this bottle is found, please write to Tex Schramm, 9355 Sunnybrook Lane, Dallas, Texas, 75220.

"Please state where bottle was found, date found and the bottle name which is "Jack Sheehan'' bottle.

"We shall write back to you.'' The former general manager of the Dallas Cowboys is a keen fisherman and is married to Marty, indicating that he and the letter writer are likely the same person.

Mr. Bonehill said: "We read the message and decided to reply straight away.

Let's hope it is Tex and he can reply, inviting us to go and see him and maybe watch a game.'' Lucky find: Robert Bonehill, Andy Yates, Ian Fieldsend and Mike Baker show off the remnants of the bottle and message.