Dear Sir,

I am writing to express my deep disappointment at the reporting of The Royal Gazette's sports reporters over the past several months. For everything Richard Calderon has done for football over his long career and his contributions to its development thereafter, I was physically and mentally taken back by comments resonating in media. At this time, I have to publicly show my support for him and his leadership.

Richard Calderon has essentially helped me throughout my entire career. Reviewing drafts of letters for scholarships (BF&M, Chamber of Commerce and BFIS scholarships), letters to admissions committee to College of Insurance, resume preparation after graduation, shopping my resume after its completion and then providing advice and guidance during career.

He not only provided this to me but to countless other young Bermudian men and without any thought of what was in it for him. Let me repeat the last comment, without any thought of what was in it for him! I think these facts are lost on the "average joe" reading media reports and trying to interpret its "meaning."

It's surprising that one can get this level of treatment in their own country after providing their time for nothing more than to merely see the game improve. Would Bobby Moore, Trevor Brooking, George Best or even Graham Taylor receive similar treatment?

I'm certainly not implying that an individual or entity can't offer differing views and that Richard along with the team he had assembled aren't infallible. It's the viciousness of the attacks that have left me extremely perplexed, disheartened and somewhat disillusioned.

I can envision the work of the BFA over the course of two years put to waste in a short space of time with the new leadership looking to gain personally over association recognition.

Bermuda has lost a true football guy, his love for the game and his determination to make it better. In my opinion, people who do good work tend to shy away from the limelight. They are almost embarrassed to step out in front of the team, as they fear the perception that they are above the team, when it comes to being recognised. Richard exemplifies this and desired others in his team to grow equally.

I can't tell you the number of times that I've been stopped on the streets of Bermuda to discuss the state of football prior to Richard committing to BFA presidency. One couldn't walk a city block without someone wanting to discuss the decline of Bermudian football.

Perhaps, I am part of the converted that understand his work and support it but clear thinking minds must prevail here. Do we really want to revert back to pre-2008 leadership? Madness on Cedar Avenue Act II?

In closing, I have a real thirst for balanced reporting and would like to see the positives expressed in print with the vigour that the negatives are illuminated.

STEFAN DUPRES