Association, Grade One soccer official Lyndon Raynor has still not changed his mind about quitting refereeing.

It was back in March that the popular policeman announced his intention to walk away from refereeing after his involvement in a game which saw ref Anthony Mouchette hit in the back by a bottle thrown by Boulevard player Haile Outerbridge. The player was subsequently handed a 25-year ban by Bermuda Football Association's disciplinary committee.

Raynor was a linesman at the game and not directly involved in the incident, but was close enough to witness what happened.

At the time he said: "I will fulfil my obligations for the season and then that's it. For all intents and purposes I will not be refereeing next season.'' Soccer will be dealt a severe blow if Raynor, who has been refereeing for seven years, does follow through on his plan to throw in the towel. And if others like Leroy Wilson and Anthony Mouchette also quit, as they have hinted, the sport will suffer heavily.

Already short in numbers, the BRA have made it clear that they cannot afford to lose any more active refs.

Raynor admits he has been encouraged by others to carry on, but says he still hasn't made up his mind about the future.

"That's still on the cards. I have been encouraged to remain but who knows.

Certain things are happening, but I don't want to say much at this stage,'' he said.

"The fact that I ran for office again doesn't mean that I have decided to continue to referee. In fact, it has never been my intention to completely walk away from it.'' With former president Gregory Grimes being returned president of the BRA at their recent AGM -- a position he last held five years ago -- Raynor believes that the organisation could be revitalised, but he assured that getting adequate numbers back was going to remain a huge challenge.

"It's great to have Mr. Grimes back, but as far as I look at it he never left. He was one who was always around, giving advice and assistance and other relative input. He has always had soccer at heart, refereeing at heart and it's good now that he is back in the thick of things.

"Like any new leader he has goals and I know that there are some interesting plans that he has on the agenda for the local referees, plans that most of us I am sure would like to see come to fruition,'' said Raynor.

"But getting the numbers back is always going to be an uphill battle for us because we are dealing with a lot of issues off the field of play that people can't imagine.

"I honestly believe that we are going to be struggling for numbers until some of our ex-players, having given up the sport, decide for the good of the game to give something back.''