Football Association today that they will not be entering a team in the Premier Division for the 2000-2001 season.

Today is the deadline for club registration and for the second straight season Vasco are struggling to put together a squad after 10 players departed their ranks by yesterday's deadline.

Last season the BFA allowed Vasco additional time to sign the minimum required number of players, but with no players joining them, the former league and FA Cup champs may decide they have no immediate future in local football.

Goalkeeper Timmy Figureido, who was rumoured to be considering a move to league champions PHC, has joined Somerset Trojans, while Sinclair Gibbons, Del Tyrrell and Clifton Anderson have all returned to St. George's. Albert Caisey is joining Wolves, his brother Clinton will move to Dandy Town along with Kuma Smith, while Irving Burgess is headed back to Hamilton Parish and Dwight Basden back to Somerset Trojans. Keith Jennings is returning to link up with his brothers Kentoine and Kevin at North Village.

Diallo Sharrieff is also on his way to Wolves and even coach John Rebello has been linked with a new club, PHC.

The Vasco situation will be monitored very closely by one club in particular, Southampton Rangers, as Vasco's demise could be their lifeline.

Rangers were the third team relegated from the Premier League last season as the top division was cut down to eight clubs for the upcoming season. But if Vasco fail to register then Rangers could find themselves in the Premier Division instead of the First Division next season.

That scenario unfolded for Somerset Trojans a few years ago when Hotels dropped out of the league while still in the top division. Trojans, who were relegated that season, were allowed to stay up.

The club appearing to benefit most during the transfer period is St. George's who have picked up a number of former players. When the east enders were last in the First Division in 1996 they finished third in the league and won the Friendship Trophy, their first major piece of silverware.

However, a mass exodus that summer saw them slip back into the Second Division the following season where they have remained ever since. But now a number of players are returning to try to revive the club's fortunes and pick up where they left off.

Goalkeeper Troy Hall, who went on to win additional trophies with Devonshire Colts, is returning. Joining him from Colts are Arnold Todd, Trinidadian midfielder Wayne Henry and Derek Wright who was also with the team in '96.

Also leaving Colts is Jerry Laws, to return to Prospect.

Dandy Town's left back Dean Bailey is also going home to St. George's while Herbie Bascome, the coach of St. George's four years ago, has obtained his release as a player from Boulevard.

The Blazers, relegated last season, have lost Andre Hendrickson to Somerset while Ellington Weldon is rejoining Devonshire Colts, but only as a Commercial League player with the All-Stars. His Wolves team-mate Cymande Davis is transferring to Devonshire Colts to fill the void left by Hall. Heading back to Colts is PHC's Vic Ball while Ricky Mallory is stepping down into the Commercial League to join new team Key West Rangers.

Promoted Devonshire Cougars have picked up Heys Wolffe from Dandy Town while Somerset have lost Rodre Wilson and Keion Simmons back to Somerset Eagles.

Moving on: Midfielder Keith Jennings (left) and goalkeeper Timmy Figureido are among 10 players who have transferred from Vasco, leaving the Portuguese club with little alternative but to pull out of the league. Jennings has signed for North Village and Figureido for Somerset.