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'The worst in history'

Sunday's horrific attack at Wellington Oval was by far the worst incident to occur at a domestic club ground, according to local sports historian Warrington (Soup) Zuill.

Zuill, 73, figured the worst had passed following a football match last year at Devonshire Recreation Club where a man brandished what appeared to be a sword. However Sunday's incident, which saw groups of young men ? armed to the teeth with various weapons? has left the avid sports historian struggling for words.

And it is because of these random acts of violence that Zuill ? grandfather of Devonshire Colts' marksman Aljame ? seldom strolls through the turnstiles these days as violence appears to have manifested itself and escalated beyond control at club venues.

"I have been involved in football since 1947. . . I was a former secretary at St.George's Colts," he said.

"I used to come out to support my grandsons but rarely do I go out today because of the situation.

"We have enjoyed our football over a long period of time and when you look back at games played recently against Montserrat in the World Cup, then you can see the football spirit still exists."

Zuill, however, said Sunday's horrific reality ruined what otherwise had been an inspiring week for local football given the Island's back-to-back success over Nicaragua at the National Sports Centre.

"We scored 20 goals against Montserrat and then Shaun (Goater) came home and put us back on the football map," he continued. "And then a few days later we are confronted with what we experienced at Wellington Oval. It certainly puts a damper on our football."

Zuill was quick to point out that Sunday's incident had nothing to do with football, describing it as "unbecoming" to local football supporters.

"We don't look forward to seeing these sorts of things happening," he said. "It spoils the game.

"It spoils the attendance and I haven't witnessed a full-season in the past several years. I don't appreciate this sort of behaviour and so I refuse to subject myself to it."

The former football administrator keeps track of his son's performances these days via the newspapers.

"They (thugs) have killed my joy! You set a stage and their (thugs) programme is to disrupt the game that was being played to obtain Island coverage," he added.

"And now it's going to be world coverage. Why? Because the least little thing that happens in Bermuda is going to get world coverage because we are currently preparing for the World Cup."