News of a fledgling umpires association being formed, first disclosed by The Royal Gazette on March 25, was confirmed by BCBC president Ed Bailey last night.

He said the group approached the board, which subsequently formed a committee to meet with them while he was in Kenya for the ICC Trophy Tournament.

"The board met with them and it has been determined that there has been some discontent amongst many, many umpires,'' said Bailey.

"In fact, what the board is made to understand is that the present umpires association only has six members.

"There is some question about their interest in Bermuda cricket. It may have come about last year when two of the better umpires (Randy Butler and Jack Thompson) did a Commercial League final when we had problems getting umpires for the knockout final.'' Bailey confirmed the new organisation will be recognised by the board.

"We have to deal with the organisation that can supply us with sufficient umpires,'' he said. "We have to look at things in the best interest of cricket.

"When the board was presented with a petition there were 24 names interested in forming a new association. We couldn't be acting in the interest of cricket if we didn't recognise them. Some of the things the umpires association have done in the last six months are not in the interest of cricket.'' Just recently the BCUA held its annual general meeting and Dennis Raynor replaced Randy Butler as president, with Butler now holding the post of secretary. Wilbur Pitcher is the vice-president with Jeff Pitcher the assistant secretary, Janet Todd the treasurer and Luther Wilkin the public relations officer.

McDonald Swan, one of the key figures behind the new umpiring body and recently voted as a club representative on the board, is the president of the umpires union, with Lester Harnett the vice-president, George Francis the secretary, Oliver Bain the assistant secretary and Mahdee Shabazz the treasurer.

Some of the umpires from the past who have been linked with the new body and who could be making comebacks this season are Randolph (Shorty) Spencer, Colin Blades, Leonard Greaves, Winston Laidlaw and Neville Roberts.

There have been problems between the BCBC and the BCUA for some time, the latest disagreement being the manner in which George Francis was selected as Bermuda's umpiring representative for the ICC Trophy. The BCUA, angry at not being involved in the selection process, subsequently wrote a letter to the International Cricket Council, which one former umpire said was what "broke the camel's back''.

The ICC, in its reply on January 30, wrote the following letter, which was addressed to then president Butler: "On behalf of the ICC Trophy umpiring sub-committee, I acknowledge your letter dated the 21st January 1994, with objections against the selection process whereby Mr. George Francis was selected by the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control to represent Bermuda as an umpire at the tournament in Kenya.

"The Bermuda Cricket Board of Control is recognised by the ICC as the body governing cricket in Bermuda and we consider this to be a national issue.'' The letter was signed by Jorgen Holmen, chairman of the umpiring sub-committee.

Neither Swan of the umpires union nor BCUA president Dennis Raynor could be contacted last night for comment.

MEN IN THE MIDDLE -- George Francis, left, and Randy Butler, who are at the centre of the umpires rift.