to take emergency measures.

An urgent call has gone out for new faces and the BFA are hoping to quickly train those who show an interest in taking up the whistle.

Just last month, chairman of the BFA Referees Committee Gregory Grimes outlined the gravity of the situation and yesterday a similar message was issued by the BFA's General Secretary David Sabir.

With several First and Second Division matches already having been affected by the shortage of officials just two weeks into the season, the BFA are concerned that the problem will escalate with the start of the Alliance and Commercial Divisions this weekend.

And another division which could be badly hit is the women's division.

"In order to prevent the situation from getting worse we are looking for at least 10 to 15 people to become referees,'' said Sabir.

"Referees are a very important part of the game and without them the game will suffer.'' BFA vice-president Aldwin Savery recently returned from a Referees Instructors' course in England and will himself be conducting a clinic at the conference facilities of St. Brendan's Hospital on October 13, starting at 6.00 p.m.

Those interested are urged to contact the BFA offices (295-2199) for information about registration.