Association following his appointment as president earlier this year might have to be reassessed.

His attempts to persuade more would-be refs to join the association haven't met with the success he anticipated.

And this means that going into the new season, which kicks off tonight with the Charity Cup at PHC, there remains a grave shortage of officials.

"We are struggling, it's as simple as that,'' said Crockwell of his association's plight.

The BFRA were hit hard by the surprise decisions during the off season of regulars such as Rex Osborne, Peter Sousa, Lawrence DeShields and Gernot Wilkie to retire from the game. All four experienced violence during matches last season.

But the association, says Crockwell, can appreciate the positions of Sousa and Wilkie who were each struck by players, and Osborne and DeShields who had close calls after being spat at and abused during a game at Devonshire Rec.

Crockwell said he would attempt to encourage the four members to reconsider their positions.

"I'm urging everybody to reconsider their positions and come back out, but it doesn't look good right now,'' said the president.

Another ref to have hung up his boots is Frank Drayton who told The Royal Gazette this week: "I have decided to stop refereeing altogether because of the attitudes of the younger players coming into the game. They have just changed.

"It so happened that I was not enjoying myself last season, and when refereeing is no more a fun thing you have to get away from it.'' Drayton was promoted to Class One three years ago and has been refereeing for 12 years.

Looking ahead to the first week of the season, Crockwell said the association were already having to ask officials assigned to a Second Division game on a Sunday to afterwards hurry to a nearby First Division match to run the line.

"We don't like to do anything like this, but the lack of numbers forces us to do it this way from the very start,'' said Crockwell.

"We need at least 35 referees and linesmen to be comfortable, but our numbers are down to a maximum of 25 right now and it's going to be hard to work properly.'' The reduction means that some referees might be required to serve at as many as four to five games a week, taking into account the number of Martonmere Cup fixtures scheduled for October and November.

"It will be professionally unhealthy for anybody to do four to five games a week, their standard will be affected because any normal person shouldn't do any more than two to three games a week,'' insisted Crockwell.

"The call is not just going out for referees, but we would appreciate the help of anyone interested in restricting their involvement to being linesmen.

That would be a great help.'' An all-day seminar held last Sunday morning was productive with 19 members present although some key regulars were unable to attend because of previous commitments.

However, Crockwell said he was encouraged by the turn-out, adding that it made the association more optimistic about tackling their many problems.

Following up the seminar will be a special meeting scheduled for Police Recreation Club on Monday, starting at 7.30 p.m. when all current and prospective officials are urged to attend.

The association will conduct their FIFA fitness exam for all referees and linesmen today at the National Stadium starting at 9 a.m. The exam will include six laps around the track as well as 50 and 200 metre runs and is also open to those wishing to join the association this season.

The Shell Youth League six-a-side final will be played prior to tonight's Charity Cup final at PHC Stadium starting at 7.00.