Fed up with repeated violence at soccer matches, PHC Zebras Under-17 youth coach Jack Castle took matters into his own hands and withdrew his team from the league ? weeks before Bermuda Football Association eventually scrapped the remainder of the season for fear of further trouble.

Castle told yesterday the problem had become ?unbearable? and described violence in, at or near football matches, as a ?social issue?.

?I just couldn?t deal with the fact these players could only go to certain areas around the Island to play football. Every week there would be different flare-ups in a different part of the Island . . . I just couldn?t deal with it any longer and it is a social issue,? he said.

?It?s a social issue (fighting) and the only time my players can play football without becoming involved in a flare-up is at Southampton Oval (PHC?s home venue). They can?t go to North Village (Bernard Park), they can?t go St. George?s or Somerset and they can?t go Devonshire Recreation Club . . . it?s just senseless and I am not prepared to tolerate this sort of behaviour any longer.?

The former PHC and senior national team defender strongly urged clubs and the BFA to join forces in combating the issue.

Until then, he said, PHC would not have a team represented in the Under-17 league.

?It?s very disturbing to someone like me who had a very successful and enjoyable junior career. It was a stepping stone for me,? Castle added. ?Junior football was a stepping stone for many of us. But it is very disturbing to know that these players are going to let petty social issues disrupt their stepping stone to perhaps getting a higher education (college scholarship), obtaining professional football trials or even representing their club or country.?

Castle also took a swipe at the BFA for the manner in which the Under-17 league was being operated.

?The games varied. Usually in football you play home and away games but a lot of the matches in the league schedule which was drawn up had PHC going to play St. George?s three times at Wellington Oval and only playing against the same club at home once. The start to the games also varied from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.,? he said.

?We (PHC) made steps to try and make things better but it only worked for one Sunday and I just decided the club could do without this sort of problem.?