defended Joe Brown's ability to administer the affairs of the association.

Unlike president Charlie Marshall, former treasurer Kent Bascome and national squad coach Gary Darrell said they felt Brown was quite capable of performing the duties of administrative assistant. Brown was fired from the $41,000-a-year post on Monday after six years in the job.

"There is no doubt that Joe Brown had a lot to offer as administrative assistant of the BFA,'' said Bascome, who resigned from his post following Monday's semi-annual general meeting. "I felt that he was more of an asset than a liability and any shortcomings he may have had with his work probably could have been worked out.'' Meanwhile, Darrell, who like Brown came in during Donald Dane's presidency, echoed those sentiments and said he saw no justifiable reason for his sacking.

Said Darrell: "There is no question that he could do the job required. It is only that he did more than he was supposed to which landed him in trouble at times.

"I have never seen or heard anything that he did which warranted a sacking.'' Earlier in the week Dane himself expressed surprise at the move made by the association. President from 1986 to 1991, Dane hired Brown in February, 1987.

On completion of a three year contract Brown beat out a number of applicants and was reappointed to the post.

"I always thought he did an excellent job,'' said Dane, presently director of the Transport Control Department. "We got along well. We had our quarrels but were always able to sort them out. He's a very good administrator.'' The issue of Brown's ability or inability to operate in his former capacity came to light on Wednesday when Marshall said publicly it was Brown's alleged incompetence which was one of the main reasons for his dismissal.

However, this appears to run contrary to the letter of termination, signed by Marshall, which highlights the changing of a lock(s) as a major sticking point.

Brown has spent most of his adult life involved with the setting up and running of several sporting bodies. He was a founding member of the Petticoat Softball League, helped revive league table tennis in 1982, acting as president, and also served on the Press and Publicity Committee of the World Council of Table Tennis, the sport's world governing body.

But Brown may not leave soccer without a fight. He is considering court action against the BFA for wrongful dismissal and possibly the president himself for defamation of character.

JOE BROWN -- "He could do the job,'' says ex-national coach Gary Darrell.