Bermuda Cricket Board of Control could see several new faces on the executive when the annual general meeting takes place next Thursday at Warwick Workmen's Club.

The Royal Gazette understands that many of the existing members have become discouraged with what they describe as "dead weights'' on the Board and are threatening to stand down unless significant changes are made.

There is also believed to be increasing disenchantment over Ed Bailey's role as president and he could face a strong challenge to his leadership for the first time in many years.

Some Board members known to have reservations about running again did not want to be named when contacted this week, but Gladstone (Sad) Brown was happy to voice his feelings on the matter.

Asked whether a number of Board members were considering quitting, Brown said that such a development would come as no surprise.

"I'm one who is discouraged,'' said Brown. "I'm also one who will not run if there are no major changes. I feel as though I am wasting my time continuing on with those who are there right now.'' Some who have reservations about running again told The Gazette that Somerset Cricket Club president Reginald Pearman might challenge Bailey for the presidency.

Pearman is the current secretary of the Board and when contacted said he had not given the idea of running for president that much consideration.

"I'm undecided one way or the other,'' he said.

Pearman and current BCBC vice-president Rudolph Lawrence ran and lost to Bailey last year. But it is felt by some that Pearman could still provide a formidable challenge because of his long ties with the sport.

He has been an executive member of Somerset since the early 1970s and has worked hard as an executive in both soccer and cricket at the national level.

Brown, though, made it no secret that while he was disappointed with the apathy shown by some top ranking officers, he was just as disappointed about the direction in which cricket had headed over the past few years.

He vowed that he would throw his support behind Pearman should the Somerset administrator decide to run.

"It would be fine with me if Reggie decides to run for the presidency. He will have my support that's for sure,'' said Brown.

"Look at our cricket, where has it gone? The competition is just not there, we are not inventing anything positive for the sport.

"We intended to get our programme on track with two divisions this coming season, but this was defeated after the president allowed two motions to go to the floor at the last general meeting.

"Naturally if you ask the lower teams what league format they want to play, whether it's a Super Eight and a First Division or remain with the one league we had last season, they are going to go with the one league.

"It's crazy, all other countries have two divisions with relegation and promotion but not us. It's wrong, it just cannot be right.''.

This year has already seen the embattled Bailey surrender his presidential status at both Willow Cuts and the Western Counties and now the Board's AGM could see a clean sweep.

When contacted yesterday Bailey refused to commit himself to another bid for the presidency.

"`As I've said before, it's a voluntary position and if the clubs want me I will run again, if not I can use my boat this year...I will always make myself available,'' said Bailey, who has been instrumental over the years in bringing to Bermuda several of the world's leading Test teams, with Australia due to arrive this year following their tour of the West Indies.

"I feel that I have done a good job and have a very personal working relationship with all the clubs and a good one.

"The financial reports will tell you what kind of job I have done, pulling the organisation out of debt into a position of strength.'' "I've taken a lot of heat for other people over the years and everyone is always ready to point the finger. When something happens it's not always that I have control or am aware of the situation.'' Bailey was widely criticised last season for holding down the presidency of the Board, Willow Cuts and Western Counties but in recent elections of the latter two he failed to contest the position.

Meanwhile, sources within the Board insisted that membership changes for the coming season were necessary if the sport was to be revitalised.

"I don't know what is going to happen, but one thing for certain is that something significant has to occur if we are to save our cricket. Things have just gone haywire in the last couple of years,'' said one member who wished to remain anonymous.

"There are just too many dead weight members, some of whom are holding down top positions and some who are not. But they've been around too long and are no longer making useful contributions.''