Cash-strapped Bermuda Hogges are in danger of disbanding at the end of the season unless they can drum up more funding through either Government or corporate sponsors.Despite reducing their budget by more than $400,000 since 2007, the Hogges remain some way short of the $180,000 needed to cover their costs for the upcoming campaign, which starts next month.Reaching that magic number has been made even more difficult following the Bermuda Football Association’s (BFA) decision to reduce their level of financial support, having had their annual Government grant slashed by $250,000 in the recent Budget.In an effort to keep the franchise afloat, it seems Hogges’ co-owner Paul Scope will have no alternative other than to dig into his own pockets, something he’s unwilling to do beyond this summer.Scope said he is appreciative of the BFA’s financial and administrative support, but hopes they can help further with Hogges’ fundraising drive pointing out they are getting 16 matches to prepare the national team for upcoming Olympic qualifiers for a reasonably modest outlay.“The BFA have come up with some money so you can’t really complain,” said Scope, who has already committed to fielding a team in the Premier Development League (PDL) this season. “It’s better than nothing, they will do the logistics and the operational stuff which is a huge help.“It’s still a huge bargain for them to get 16 games for the Under-23s as they head into their Olympic qualifiers. I’m hoping they will help me get more money whether it’s through Government, Tourism or whatever.”Amidst the backdrop of the global financial crisis, many local companies are continuing to tighten their purse strings and Scope admits it’s not becoming any easier to attract sponsors.Several firms have shown an interest in backing the Hogges next season, but Scope said he may be forced to pull the plug on the franchise before then.“I’m getting a lot of (companies) saying I can come (and provide financial support) next year, but I’m saying to them ‘there may not be a next year’,” he said. “If we can get through this season though, I think I could get a lot (of sponsorship) in advance.”While Hogges’ future remains uncertain, Scope is still optimistic that a possible link-up with Major League Soccer (MLS) side Toronto FC could come to fruition.He met with the club’s hierarchy in Orlando last month where the Canadian professional team were holding a pre-season training camp and was encouraged by what was said.The team’s coach Aron Winter, and director of player development, Paul Mariner, a close friend of Scope’s and a regular visitor to Bermuda will travel to the Island this summer to assess the standard of the Hogges players.“I’ve got a good initiative going with Toronto FC, they’re not committing money yet but they will be coming down to watch the Hogges when Toronto have a break in their season in July. I think that could go somewhere,” said Scope.Hogges were trumpeted as the saviour of local football when Scope and his fellow co-owners Kyle Lightbourne and Shaun Goater launched the Island’s first semi-professional team in 2006.Although they have been unable to capture the imagination of the notoriously hard to please Bermudian footballing public, and for the most part have attracted paltry attendances, Scope believes the benefits of having an local team playing in an overseas league shouldn’t be overlooked.BFA youth director Devarr Boyles is known to be a firm supporter of the Hogges programme, while former technical director Derek Broadley considered the franchise, and the National Academy, as the two most important building blocks for player development in Bermuda.“We still have huge potential, and it would be a crying shame if we had to stop the Hogges for the want of $180,000,” Scope added.“Devarr is very keen and enthusiastic about the Hogges. He’s been great to work with, as was (Derek) Broadley, –but Devarr’s probably even more enthusiastic.“We’re working with the BFA’s Ian Rawlins and David Sabir with the logistics, and we’re definitely looking to put the show on.”Last year saw the Hogges join the amateur PDL from the semi-professional USL-D2. The Hogges’ first game of the season is against Reading United at BAA Field on Friday, May 27.