decline an invitation to enter the next World Cup, just two years after making their most successful foray in the competition.

The Island bathed in the glory of what many felt was local soccer's proudest achievement when the national team advanced to the third qualifying round of the competition in 1993 before bowing out in a four-country round-robin play-off. Previously they had never advanced beyond the preliminary round.

With the September 30 deadline to enter World Cup qualifying rapidly approaching, the BFA have not excluded the possiblity of competing again but signs are beginning to emerge that they will not.

General Secretary David Sabir, when asked the BFA's position on World Cup qualifying, replied: "It's something that we will have to review and consider.'' Time, however, is not on the BFA's side with the start of the season fast approaching on September 30 when the Charity Cup takes place between FA Cup champions Vasco and First Division league champions Boulevard. Actual league play begins on October 8.

Memories of the last World Cup accomplishment under national coach Gary Darrell and his squad have virtually been forgotten, taking a backseat to the Miami Seven episode and more recently the on-off-on saga surrounding the Olympic qualifying match against Costa Rica which Bermuda eventually lost.

Poor handling of the Miami situation plus the resulting Board of Inquiry into drugs in soccer had an adverse affect on the game which in turn led to local businesses withdrawing financial support.

Further salt was thrown into the wounds of the association when their financial report showed a whopping $70,000 deficit for the year.

Now they find themselves having to decide whether they can again afford to enter the world's most prestigious soccer event.

Other pressing matters facing the BFA include the annual general meeting, which has twice been aborted because of failure to reach a quorum, and the clubs' call for a meeting to discuss the Sharpe report on drugs in soccer.

When former president Donald Dane entered Bermuda in the last World Cup he was blasted for not giving the matter careful consideration. Six executive members of First Division clubs publicly stated that they were against the move after Dane was replaced by Charlie Marshall.

But an internal soccer survey conducted by the BFA revealed that by more than two-to-one the public were in support of Bermuda entering the World Cup.

Had Bermuda pulled out they would have faced hefty fines from FIFA in the range of $15,000 and other penalties, having paid $5,000 to enter.

Dane had put into effect a 12-year plan aimed at qualifying Bermuda for the finals by the year 2002. "I think we should always enter the World Cup. There are countries that are far worse off than we are who play in the World Cup,'' he said at the time.

Bermuda's inferior scoring record away from home led to their downfall in the third round in 1992 after they had recorded stunning victories over Haiti and Antigua in the first and second rounds.

Costa Rica were the winners of the round-robin followed by Canada, Jamaica and then Bermuda.

And despite the long debate over lack of finances that forced consideration to withdraw, Bermuda managed to come out of the competition in a rosy financial state, netting more than $200,000 for their fine run.

Their preparations cost as much as $118,000, including a pre-tournament trip to Jamaica.