Gary Darrell, the man behind Bermuda's gutsy World Cup run that ended in the first round in 1993, is concerned about Bermuda's senior national programme becoming stagnant as a result of this week's decision not to compete in the World Cup.

Darrell, who has since resigned as coach, agreed that it was upsetting to see Bermuda give the campaign a miss for 1998. But he viewed this week's decision by the Bermuda Football Association as being inevitable since there were no preparations underway in light of the approaching deadline for entering at the end of the month.

A clearly dismayed Darrell said yesterday: "I am not surprised by the BFA's decision not to enter the next World Cup at all. If they haven't done anything in two years with the senior squad, and if they knew they had to make a decision for a commitment by the end of this month, the announcement isn't a surprise.'' Darrell, who was an advisor to newly-appointed Under-23 national team coach Mark Trott for the Pan Am Games after resigning as senior national coach of the World Cup squad, said that he believed that having no coaching staff in place probably helped in the BFA making their decision.

Trott, who was team manager of the previous World Cup squad, had last week stated that it would be disappointing if Bermuda were not to enter.

"If they cannot enter because of finances then it will be pretty sad, especially since we had such a great run the last time,'' said Trott.

Darrell gave a ringing endorsement to most of the remarks made by former president Donald Dane, which appeared in yesterday's Royal Gazette , agreeing that it was a regressive step for Bermuda soccer.

Darrell personally regarded the development as being a "step backwards'' and said that Bermuda soccer was rushing toward this path ever since the celebrations from the success of 1993 concluded.

"Yes, we have been making that step backwards since the World Cup run ended when the programme for the senior team just seemed to fizzle. The players have had one friendly game which was against the United States B team and nothing more,'' said Darrell.

"One of the reasons for our success in the World Cup was the national team had been active for three to four years prior to playing in the competition, we didn't do that good initially but as time passed we got better and better.'' By going beyond the preliminary and qualifying rounds into the first round for the first time, Bermuda soccer had justifiably gained recognition and great credibility among the CONCACAF countries, said Darrell. He said to now simply bow out while less organised countries -- some smaller and more primitive -- had entered and already begun their preparations would force many to question Bermuda's decision.

"But the fact that we have made the decision, for whatever reason, it is now important for the senior national team to become active. We do not have to include the same players, the important thing is to assemble a squad so that we can prepare for the next World Cup and other major games so that our credibility can be restored.'' Trott said that he thought Bermuda would have been capable of making another spirited run in the World Cup if they were to have entered.

"The team pulled the country together so beautifully the last time and I think everyone would have been looking for something like that again,'' said Trott.

"With the star players that we now have, with the excitement that they bring to the game, it would have been the perfect opportunity for Bermuda to get back on track.'' With further national duty now far from their minds, both Darrell and Trott are preparing for their respective teams for the start of the new season -- the former with Southampton Rangers, who will be returning to the First Division after a one-year absence, and the latter to Dandy Town, who have become quite a force in the senior division.