A week on Monday Bermuda's soccer clubs will be asked to make their choice on who should lead the sport through the first years of this new millennium.

And while our sources indicate that many of Bermuda Football Association's affiliates have already made up their mind, they might want to think carefully before casting their ballot.

As pointed out by Tyrrell, who has steered football through good and bad times over the past four years, it's an election that should be decided not on emotion but on careful examination of the facts.

There's no doubt that during this last term, grave mistakes were made, not least those surrounding a hugely disappointing World Cup campaign during which Bermuda lost some credibility as a serious contender in international competition. And the handling of technical director Clyde Best's ultimate departure also left much to be desired.

But on the heels of the damaging Miami Seven affair in 1995, Tyrrell must be given credit for restoring a degree of respectability and reassuring corporate sponsors that the sport could be run efficiently.

What the affiliates have to decide now is whether Tyrrell, having in many people's eyes temporarily lost control of the ship towards the end of last season, should be allowed a second chance on the rudder. Or whether Trott is capable of making the transition from coach to administrator.

They each have different qualities, and nobody should question either man's passion for the sport, or their willingness to see it improve.

Yet if any one of those qualities might tip the scales, it could be the Dandy Town coach's superior communication skills.

Throughout the BFA's troubles last winter it was Tyrrell's failure to communicate with the clubs and the public in general -- he repeatedly dodged the press on issues of importance -- that tarnished what had previously been a sound if not spectacular term of office.

Much like the Premier, the president of the BFA has a duty to keep the public informed.

And on that score, much like the Premier, Tyrrell has failed.

Trott, on the other hand, has always been seen -- certainly by those in the media -- as an articulate and willing communicator both as a national team coach and a club coach.

Running our national sport, of course, will take much more than good communication skills and those who have trod the same path will be quick to advise the Bank of Butterfield deputy manager that soccer's hot seat is rarely a cosy one.

History shows that, over the past quarter of a century at least, there has not been a single BFA president who at one time or another hasn't been stung by the criticism of a soccer public which always knows best. It's a position fraught with complication and controversy.

Leading the BFA is a thankless task, some might say made even more difficult by constant media attention. But it carries great responsibility and can be enormously rewarding.

Trott or Tyrrell? The clubs must decide. And whoever they choose, as Clyde Best might say, the only issue at stake is whether soccer will emerge a winner.

*** VSB were quick to reply to last week's Friday Forum which lamented the loss of BCC radio's Saturday morning Sports World to make way for live coverage of local cricket.

Station manager Mike Bishop pointed out it was a simple case of economics.

Sponsorship of local cricket pays the bills and Sports World doesn't.

VSB are contracted to provide 12 hours each day of the BBC World Service and can pick and choose what they air.

As for switching Sports World to a different waveband during the cricket commentary, Bishop says: `Sure, providing somebody comes up with the cash.

Cricket is heavily sponsored. The World Service is exactly that, a service that we provide free of charge.'' ADRIAN ROBSON