prevents aspiring Island soccer stars from living out their dreams in England.

Currently Bermudians seeking to become professional players in the English league need to have a work permit before they are allowed to do so.

But the fact the Island is not in the top 75 of soccer playing nations prevents them from getting the necessary paperwork -- even though they are subjects of a dependent territory.

PHC striker Stephen Astwood was offered a one-year contract at English First Division side, Preston North End, but his work permit was thrown out at the initial stage and then an appeal against the decision was rejected.

His advisor, Barry McIntosh believes the decision is outrageous, bearing in mind the Island's close ties to the UK, and he has been calling on the Government here to intervene.

Deputy Governor Tim Gurney told the Royal Gazette shortly after Astwood's application had been thrown out that talks would be sought between the two nations to try and find a way around the problem -- not just for Astwood but for any other person seeking to ply their trade in England.

Those talks were still ongoing, he said yesterday, and an outcome was not likely in the near future.

"Talk are going on but they are not specifically in the context of Stephen Astwood it's much wider,'' Gurney said. "I am not directly involved -- it's purely between the Foreign Office and the Home Office in the UK.

"It goes much wider than Stephen, it's an issue for all the overseas territories. What the result will be and when the result will come I have just no idea.''