newspaper late last week indicating that Bermuda Football Association had yet to reach agreement with technical director Clyde Best over a new contract.

Reading between the lines and listening to the sometimes evasive comments of BFA president Neville Tyrrell on ZBM-TV this week, one might reach the conclusion that all is not well between the executive of the sport's governing body and the man who most believed would lead Bermuda's national teams into one of the most important periods in local football history.

With World Cup and Olympic qualifying ties just around the corner, not to mention an ambitious programme for what is shaping up to be a useful under-15 squad, the last thing the sport needs is dissension among the ranks.

Publicly, the BFA and Best might deny that any such friction exists. Tyrrell has pointed out that those on the association's executive committee are volunteer officials and simply have not got round to discussing the issue of a new contract, and Best himself has diplomatically chosen not to comment.

But if ever there was a matter that required urgent attention, this is it.

It's difficult to imagine how Best, or for that matter his employers, can concentrate on shaping the respective squads and preparing for international matches when there remains uncertainty over who will be at the helm when those games come around.

If the BFA have reservations about the way the technical director has handled the post during his initial three-year tenure, they should have been brought to his attention long before now, and if not, certainly need to be addressed forthwith.

And the same applies to Best. If he isn't happy with his working conditions, he needs to make those concerns known immediately.

Sources within the BFA have informed this newspaper that during the last three years there has been little dialogue between the president and the technical director. And while much of the gossip that circulates among local sporting circles can often be dismissed as just that, in this case there does seem to be an air uneasiness.

Whatever the problems though, they need to be resolved quickly. Bermuda's path down both the World Cup and Olympic qualifying roads are littered with enough obstacles, without the added pressure of domestic squabbling.

The almost comical situation regarding transportation for Best is another issue that should have been sorted out long before now -- not that it should be seen as a major problem in the big picture.

But there can't be too many national coaches anywhere in the world, particularly in countries as affluent as Bermuda, who have to hitch a ride, catch a bus or a ferry in order to carry out their day-to-day duties.

The van afforded Best has apparently spent more time in the garage than out and is currently out of service altogether. A replacement, we're told, is being sought. As one BFA official said this week: "We simply can't splash out thousands of dollars on a van. Sponsors aren't exactly throwing their money at us.'' That's understood. And as regards sponsorship, the BFA probably find themselves in a Catch 22 situation. In order to be successful, they need sufficient cash to finance the various programmes, while sponsors often want to see success before they part with their money.

But it's fair to say the BFA have made much progress under the leadership of Tyrrell and are certainly a far more respected governing body than they were three or four years ago.

It would be a great pity if much of that work were to come undone through what might be no more than a clash of personalities.

In order to be successful in the international arena, the BFA need to present a united front.

If Best is the best man to lead our 2000 campaigns -- and many believe he is -- let's get his contract signed as soon as possible.

If the executive think otherwise they should give their reasons and move on accordingly.

Any prolonged delay will only further diminish Bermuda's chances of success.

-- ADRIAN ROBSON