Bermuda football was yesterday mourning the death of one of the sport?s most prominent and influential administrators following the passing of Reuben Alias at the age of 84.

He was described by close friend and the man who succeeded him as Bermuda Football Association president, Dr. Gerard Bean, as ?a giant of a man in the football world?.

A player for Young Men?s Social Club, a referee and a coach, Alias arguably made his biggest contribution as an administrator, playing a key role in the integration of the sport.

?He helped to democratise both the Bermuda Football Association and the Bermuda Olympic Association,? said Bean, who took over from Alias as BFA president in 1971.

?He also played an important part in making football prominent in the Olympic movement.?

A statement from current BFA president Larry Mussenden yesterday paid tribute to Alias, who had also served as an honorary life president of the association.

?The football family has lost a stalwart, a pioneer in the administration of football,? said Mussenden.

?Those who knew and worked with Mr. Alias will attest to his strong leadership and devotion to serving the community with the highest standard of integrity and commitment. Mr. Alias will long be remembered for his steadfast and unwavering approach to doing the job right and setting standards for which all who came in contact with him appreciated.

?Mr. Alias was a dedicated civil servant of the Bermuda Government and was active in many facets of the Bermuda community.

?To the football family he will long be remembered for his leadership in cementing football as one of the pillars of Bermuda?s sporting and social fabric.

?We are grateful for what Mr. Alias done for football and sport generally and for this, his passing saddens us. We join with the entire football family in expressing our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Alias? family and to all of those who knew him best.?

Former Wellington Rovers midfielder James Smith ? the elder brother of Noel (Sub) Smith ? passed away over the weekend.

He was 72.

Smith began playing football in the early 1950s and was a member of Rovers? 1957-58 FA Cup-winning team.

He was the grandson of John Corbin, a past deputy mayor of St.George?s and co-founder of the annual Cup Match classic.

Together with younger sibling Noel ? father of former St.George?s spinner Travis Smith ? he formed an impregnable combination in midfield.

In 2002 he was honoured by the Over 40s All-Star Football Committee.

?He was an outstanding player in his day playing alongside the likes of Eddie Wright, Maxwell (Hard Drop) Burgess, Fred Trott, Frederick (Crazy Horse) Hall, Dennis Wainwright and Sinclair (Charger) Reid,? stated local sports historian Warrington (Soup) Zuill.