has been cancelled... because no-one signed up.

Bermuda Football Association only recently made a desperate plea for new refs as they already face a shortage for the upcoming season. And Director of Referees, Aldwyn Savery, admitted the situation now looked bleak.

"We are disappointed because, although we announced this course several times, no-one came forward and we decided to cancel the course,'' said Savery.

"We have been told by the Referees Association that they are not confident they will have the same amount of referees that were available last year. In fact, to this date, there are only two referees who have registered and said they will be available.

"I understand from the Referees Association that there aren't a lot of people going to their monthly meetings, so they don't have a feel as to how many people are available.'' Savery said the association might be forced to look to former referees to help them through the crisis. He said anyone from age 16 upwards was urged to lend their support either as referees or linesmen.

"Even if they don't want to become official referees but want to do a crash course we will represent them to the association to see that they are rewarded for their services,'' said Savery, who had to come out of retirement himself last year to help out.

"We are in a position where we really have to do something, it is a crisis.

It is a thing that we need to deal with. We can always work with quality people but we could do with numbers right now.'' Savery said he could see First and Second Division games going ahead without a full complement of officials this season.

"Some of the old referees probably should take the opportunity to come back out and help the Referees Association to rebuild and get strong again,'' he said. They could even help as assessors of new referees, he added.

"I will be calling on some of them to see if they will re-establish themselves.'' The Referees Association have also ben hit by the postponement of a seminar which was due to be conducted by the Director of Referees Education of the United States Soccer Federation, Alfred Klinitis, on August 28 and 29.

That postponement is a result of Klinitis having to travel on business over the same weekend. It is now hoped the course will take place in October.

There will, however, be a lecture for all referees on Monday, August 31, at Police Recreation Club at 7.00 p.m., aimed at bringing officials up to date on the new law changes and the new match reports to be used.

Anyone else interested in refereeing is welcome to attend.