Richard Calderon appears to have a slight edge over Larry Mussenden, the man he will challenge for the Bermuda Football Association presidency on Monday night, according to a poll conducted on the streets of Hamilton yesterday.

Of those interviewed, 50 percent opted for a change in leadership, 30 percent backed incumbent Mussenden while 20 percent were either uncertain or unwilling to take part in the poll.

The BFA will hold elections at their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday at Young Men's Social Club where Mussenden will run against ex-national coach Calderon for the top spot in local football.

Mussenden took over the reins from former PLP senator Neville Tyrell, who resigned in 2001, and three years later held off a strong challenge from Mark Trott for the leadership by a single vote.

The charismatic former Attorney General and Bermuda Regiment major is the man largely credited for persuading Government to invest millions of dollars into the sport as well as bringing an ambitious strategic plan to fruition.

Mussenden is adamant he is still the right man to take Bermuda football forward and last week pleaded for affiliates to give him another chance at the helm.

Calderon, an astute student of the game, is a former national team footballer and co-founder of the Bermuda Football Foundation (BFF) whose expertise and wealth of experience could be a valuable asset at the BFA. He has also coached the sport at various levels in the past.

Both men have campaigned rigorously behind closed doors and are said to have garnered strong support to suggest that next week's election could go right down to the wire.

Following are some of the comments by those interviewed in Hamilton yesterday:

Lamal Bean (wharehouse assistant): "I think it is time for change because we need fresh minds to do the job.

"It's time for fresh ideas and time for another person to take things to the next level. Larry did some good things for Bermuda football but it's time for a change because the state of football is not as good as it was when I was growing up and I think Richard Calderon is the right guy for the job."

Charles Jeffers (entrepreneur): "I think it's time to let someone else have a shot at it because he (Larry) has been there for two terms already. But in the final analysis it's up to the affiliates to decide."

Nicole Smith (accountant): "My philosophy is that you know what you have but never know what you are getting and so I believe the current administratition can actually do what needs to be done. These people (current administration) that have been there all along have taken the BFA places when there was no funding and so I think they have the experience and the knowledge to do a good job. I say give them one more shot."

Danika Gibbons (customer service representative): "Personally I think it is time for change. Mr.Mussenden has done a good job but I think it is time for someone else to come in and continue where he left off and make things better in the football fratenrity.

"I think Larry has done a good job but it is time for change. I think Richard has what it takes, he's been around the game a long time and knows what needs to be done to move Bermuda football forward."