Charlie Marshall has decided to call it quits after two years at the helm of the Bermuda Football Association (BFA).

During an interview yesterday, Marshall confirmed that he would not be standing for re-election as BFA president at next month's annual general meeting.

Explaining his decision, Marshall said he "simply doesn't have the support of the executive committee and (thus) cannot get the job done.

"During the semi-annual meeting I expressed my reservations about the executive committee and the current administration of association football.

Things have not changed...and this is not the first time (it's happened).

"It's time to hand the ball over to somebody else. Sooner or later you have to say `enough is enough'.'' Marshall said an infusion of young blood was desperately needed in order to effect necessary changes within the organisation and take the sport in Bermuda to a higher level.

He called on those "younger'' members to take a more active role in the BFA's affairs.

"We need to get some of those young boys that have come back from school with their degrees and education to get involved,'' said Marshall, who succeeded Donald Dane as leader after Dane had similarly fallen out of favour with the executive.

"As long as old people like myself stay here in the way these youngsters will never get the chance to take over and mould the association in the manner that it needs to be for the future.

"Football is no longer just a Sunday afternoon kick around. It's a business and needs to be run like one.

"It's big, and can have a tremendous effect on the upbringing and development of individuals. Sports can be used as a tool to create upstanding citizens and promote responsibility and leadership.'' He added that the new BFA technical director, Burkhard Ziese, needed the total support of the membership in order to properly carry out his assigned tasks.

Marshall also had harsh words for both the executive and affiliates.

"The mentality of the clubs is such that they are still thinking in the past,'' he said. "While they should be aware of what went on in the past they must be prepared to move in a new direction.

"Clubs have to take on more responsibility and better administer their own affairs.'' However, while he admitted that it had been a rough presidential ride and that he left with mixed emotions, he said he could look back with pride on his 47 years of participation in local football, from his days as a player to being a referee and finally BFA president.

"I leave, but I do hope that the affiliates will look around very seriously and pick people who are competent and have the time to run the association properly.'' Meanwhile, it is believed that the clubs already have a successor in mind, with former director Neville Tyrell said to be the early front-runner. Others mentioned in connection with the post include current vice presidents Elroy Ratteray and Richard Thompson.

CHARLIE MARSHALL -- `sooner or later you have to say enough is enough.'