tatters after the British Government rejected his application for a work permit.

Astwood has been offered a one-year contract, with an option for a further 12 months, by First Division Preston.

But the offer is now not worth the paper it is written on because without a work permit from Department of Education and Employment in London he cannot play for the club.

Astwood's initial application had been rejected because Bermuda is not ranked in the top 70 of the world's soccer nations and the player and his prospective team were banking on a personal appeal.

That was held last week and after a prolonged wait the decision was made yesterday to dismiss the application once again.

Although unable to go into the specifics of the case, a spokeswoman for the DfEE said it was likely the appeal failed on the same grounds.

She said: "The independent panelists decided there was not enough supporting evidence for his application and the Minister accepted that decision. "There is only one appeal allowed and so that is it really, unless there is any other new evidence that can be brought to light which is particularly startling.'' Defending the process whereby players from outside the European Union are granted or refused work permits, the spokeswoman said: "The appeal process is there to look at the standard of the player and whether they will make a significant contribution to the UK domestic game.

"If that is not sufficiently proven or expected from the evidence presented they refuse the appeal.'' Preston North End manager David Moyes said he was upset at the decision.

"We are obviously disappointed we couldn't get a work permit for Steve. If there was any other way we would try, but at the moment we are being told we have gone through the channels,'' he said adding, "It is disappointing not only for ourselves but for the player himself.'' Astwood's advisor, Barry McIntosh, expressed thinly disguised anger.

"I'm gutted for the player, the effort he has put in, the effort the club has put in, the effort the people in Bermuda have put in and the effort I have put in,'' he said.

He questioned the worth of Bermuda being a British dependency if the British Government could not offer assistance to one of it's subjects and called on Island ministers to intervene.

"What is so beneficial to a territory like Bermuda that is less beneficial to an independent territory like Jamaica?'' he said.

McIntosh added: "We all know this kid, once he has been nurtured in England for six months or a year he will be a very special talent. No disrespect to Shaun Goater, but I think he (Astwood) has more potential than any other player that has been here.

"He is 6ft 2in, cocky, arrogant, knows where the goal is, has a powerful left and right foot, has pace -- to be honest with you he could be the next Clyde Best.'' Astwood himself was unavailable for comment, but assistant national coach Mark Trott said the player was understandably disappointed. But Trott said despite the setback, Astwood knew it was not a lack of ability that was preventing him from playing in England, just red tape.

Chance denied: Stephen Astwood, about to score a World Cup goal for Bermuda against the British Virgin Islands at the National Stadium in April, who was yesterday barred from accepting a pro contract with Preston.