The 2003/04 league soccer season will officially kick off on October 11, Bermuda Football Association official Charles Clarke announced yesterday.

The league campaign had originally been scheduled to get underway this weekend.

However, due to the extended cricket season, damage to club facilities from Hurricane Fabian and the last-minute withdrawal of First Division club Magnum Force, the BFA were forced to change their original plans.

"We sent out information to all of the clubs today (yesterday) and they in turn have informed us that they will be ready," said Clarke. "So the season will officially kick off on Saturday, October 11 with the Commercial Division. The Premier and First Divisions will start on Sunday, October 12."

Clarke explained: "Since the hurricane and then Magnum Force's withdrawal from the First Division it's been very difficult to get the schedule up and running. As we got closer to the original starting date, Magnum Force dropped out and then Fabian came by.

"Then we had the cricket season extended which in turn also affected our plans.

"Their (BCB) dates kept extending and you have to remember most fields are used for both sports. So that didn't help us much either."

That aside, Clarke reassured that it was now all systems go.

"We finally have it all sorted out and now we should be able to proceed and have a very enjoyable, productive football campaign."

As for night soccer, temporarily on hold, Clarke explained: "There will be no night games until some point in time when clubs are able to get the necessary poles and lights back up in operation. But everything else is ready to go."

However, on a brighter note, Clarke divulged plans to have the Martonmere Cup semi-finals played under the lights at the National Sports Centre.

"We are currently working on that at a date to be later determined," he confirmed. "And we are also hoping to have the November 11 final played at the National Sports Centre as well."

Meanwhile, Martonmere Cup action resumes at BAA Field this Sunday with the final round of round-robin matches on tap.

Group A action will see defending champions Devonshire Colts take on Boulevard (2 p.m.) while Group B sees Somerset Eagles take on Devonshire Cougars at 4 p.m.