The soft-spoken Smith, known for his ability to outstrip defences, was forced to amble between tables on his way to centre stage where he received a bevy of prizes after being named soccer's Most Valuable Player for the 1993-94 season.

The slow walk proved worthwhile as an expensive gold ring containing the NFAC logo and noting the MVP award along with a gleaming silver trophy and other sports wear were presented to him.

Smith was a prime catalyst in Town's rise to fame that saw the St. John's Road club capture the League, Dudley Eve Trophy and Friendship Trophy.

He beat out the likes of Leonard Hypolite, Troy Hall and Ellington Weldon in the shortlist of four for the honour.

Adding to Town's glory on the night was the naming of Mark Trott as the overwhelming winner of the Coach of the Year award. This came in Trott's first full season at the helm.

He was in turn decorated with a pocket watch and gift certificate from the newly opened Sports-A-Wear shop in St. George's.

Meanwhile, Devonshire Colts' energetic winger Quincy Aberdeen topped the Young Player of the Year polls ahead of team-mate Jahmal Samuels and Dean Bailey and Kwame Tucker of St. George's and Somerset respectively.

Like Smith, Aberdeen received a ring along with a trophy and other trinkets.

Other prizes handed out were that of the most disciplined team, which was awarded to Port Royal on the basis of their accumulating just 44 disciplinary points for the year, and leading First, Second and Women's Division goal scorers which went to Weldon (Devonshire Colts), Marlon Lindsay (Wolves) and Cassandra Wales (BAA Telecom).

Because of the success of the inaugural event, which was attended by a near sold out audience, chief sponsors Kempe and Whittle have pledged further support for a second running of the event.

Musical entertainment was supplied by Studio Six while Bootsie added a comedic touch as only he could.

The funnyman poked humour at the Bermuda Football Association's technical director, Burkhard Ziese, with regard to his accent and pronunciation of the English language to which the German-born Ziese, showing wit of his own, replied "alright Tootsie''.

Keith Steede, one of the three members which created the NFAC -- Mark Wade and Troy Symonds were the others -- said that the night had gone well and promised even more in the future.

"It was very much a success,'' said Steede. "Basically, we feel that football is on the way up and we heard a lot of guys saying how they now have something to play for.

"We may have to go to a different venue next year as we want to include more divisions like the juniors and ladies league.

"All the feedback has been positive and what was really good was that a lot of the players came out.'' CARLOS SMITH -- The First Division's second highest goal scorer was crowned MVP on Saturday night.