assistant of the Bermuda Football Association in the next few days.

It was disclosed at the association's semi-annual meeting last night at Warwick Workman's Club that the directors had made recommendations to the executives earlier in the evening in regards to "outstanding issues'' that prompted president Charlie Marshall to relinquish his day-to-day duties last month.

Amongst them was that Marshall was unhappy with the administration of the BFA, indirectly pointing the finger straight at Brown.

Marshall had said then that he hoped the "issues'' would be dealt with before the semi-annual meeting.

The directors -- Carlton (Pepe) Dill, Gerard Bean, Gregory Grimes, Gil DeSousa and Kenny Perinchief -- met with the executive committee two hours prior to the semi-annual meeting to reveal their findings and recommendations, which will be acted upon by the executives "in the new few days,'' according to a an unnamed source.

That main issue is believed to be the ousting of Brown, and the consensus from those emerging from the two-hour meeting is that Brown will be relieved of his duties, leaving the association to soon begin seeking its fifth administrative assistant, whose salary is subsidised by Government.

"I think he's (Brown) gone,'' said one club representative afterwards. "From what I heard with regards to the recommendations made by the directors it's likely that he's out of here.'' The fact that Marshall has resumed his day-to-day duties within the association suggests that the recommendations are favourable from his point of view, though he declined to disclose what they are.

"I'm aware what they are but I'm not prepared to say,'' said Marshall after the meeting. "The duties that I handed over to Mr. Thompson have been handed back to me.'' Marshall temporarily handed the office responsibilities to Thompson last month apparently because he and Brown do not get along. He is also understood to have delivered a `him or me' ultimatum to the directors leading up to last night's meeting.

Brown declined to comment on the matter last night but last week said: "I am the administrative assistant of the BFA. I can work with Mr. Marshall on any matter. I have no qualms about working with Mr. Marshall, he is a fine gentleman.

"When it is decided I can no longer perform my responsibilities I should be dismissed, but I am very proud of the fact that I have been here for six years and also of the fine job I've done for sports in Bermuda.'' Brown took over the post from Angela Smith on March 2, 1987, and was re-appointed to the post in 1991.

Donald Dane was the president when Brown was first appointed and in November 1991, Marshall replaced Dane. There has apparently never been a good working relationship between Brown and Marshall.

Last night's meeting was adjourned until a later date because the auditor who was to submit the financial report on the World Cup campaign failed to show.

The meeting has been adjourned for a minimum of 14 days by which time the executives will seek a new treasurer to replace Kent Bascome and then report back to the affiliates. Bascome recently resigned from his post.

At last night's meeting, Sonia Holder replaced Mark Trott as club representative, running for the post unchallenged.

The meeting was attending by both club affiliates and members of the Bermuda Referees Association.

PHC will be focussing on the last knockout trophy available to them this season when they take on Hotels in the Friendship Trophy tonight at PHC Stadium at 9.00.

The Zebras, who have been beaten in the finals of both the Martonmere Cup and Dudley Eve Trophy and were eliminated from the FA Cup in the first round nine days ago, have just this trophy and the league to save them from a mediocre season by their standards.

Their opponents are also facing a disappointing season, having slipped just out of the championship race picture, though they are still in the FA Cup.

And while PHC are going through a rebuilding stage, they will still be slight favourites over a Hotels team who desperately need more consistency if they are to make a strong bid for one of the remaining cups.

Hotels have been going downhill since their 3-0 loss to PHC on November 21 when the Zebras replaced them at the top of the First Division. That was also the match their top scorer Ricky Hill suffered a broken wrist.

Vasco should have the edge over Devonshire Cougars in the 7.00 Shield opener.

Cougars had a good 4-2 win over Somerset Eagles on the weekend as Devon Brangman scored a hat-trick and their confidence should be high as they bid to hand Vasco a rare defeat.

JOE L. BROWN -- Just prior to last night's meeting.

CHARLIE MARSHALL -- `Him or me' ultimatum.