"Bob'' throughout yesterday's paper.

At first glance, he is an unlikely leader of a youthful revolution against the old guard.

A trifle on the short side, a distinct paunch stretching his shirt, and hair thickish yet of an indeterminate colour -- hardly the stuff to win the role of Errol Flynn in a Hollywood movie.

In fact, he looks more like the friendly landlord in a sleepy afternoon soap.

And as for youthful? Well, in his game such a description would probably just about escape a criminal charge.

Meet 57-year-old businessman Mr. Bob Boyle, who is challenging to become Hamilton's next Mayor.

Standing in his way is 78-year-old Rt. Wor. Cecil Dismont, who in 1988 achieved history by becoming the first black Mayor.

Tomorrow's match-up is the first of its kind for 60 years at the Corporation of Hamilton.

And it is causing a rare buzz of excitement down at City Hall, where elections have become almost improper. Not quite the done thing.

Especially so when the challenger comes from within Corporation ranks -- and it involves friends, to boot.

If deputy Mayor and senior alderman Mr. Boyle has his way, the clash will be viewed as the vitality of youth versus sterility of age.

Certainly, he believes the Corporation -- the Mayoralty, in particular -- desperately needs a charge of energy.

As an example, he points to plans for the Bull's Head multi-storey car park, and improving the docks.

They should be given far greater urgency, and thrust to the front-burner, he says.

And moves to pep up the City's night life should be pursued with greater vigour.

"We should get the ball rolling.'' It is a surprisingly ill-disguised swipe at Mr. Dismont, his pal and occasional rival on the tennis court.

"I think it is important that the Mayor seems to be leading the city, and running the city,'' explains the Paget father-of-four and boss of Hamilton shoe company, W.J. Boyle and Son.

"The Mayor's office is something which should be looked up to. I think one of the things that has been lacking of late has been leadership -- it has been visibly missing.

"The Mayor should be the one making statements, instead of leaving it to someone else. He and the aldermen should be more visible, especially when appearing before the Press and television.

"The voters need to get more of an idea of what the Corporation is about. It is all about accountability.'' As if he hasn't been crystal clear, he states: "Age is a factor, and I think we are all wondering why the Mayor has decided to stay on.'' He then adds the final hammer blow to the point. "If I became Mayor I would want the Mayoralty limited to two terms of office, which means six years.

"That would guarantee new blood coming into the Corporation every six years.

"We need new blood, new eyes looking at some of the problems, and new vitality.

"I think at present there is a lot of frustration, with people seeing their way up the Corporation blocked.'' Mr. Boyle says becoming Mayor fits perfectly with his "life plan'', and waiting another three years was out of the question.

"I've always made it clear I will run in 1994. It fits in with my business interests.

"I don't think I want to be Mayor more than three years. I want to do other things, like travelling.'' St. George's-born Mr. Boyle has little doubt anyone worth his salt entering the Corporation hankers after the prestige post of Mayor.

For himself, there is an added impetus in achieving that goal.

It would mean emulating his granddad, W.J. Boyle who became Mayor of St.

George's and founded the shoe company which still bears his name.

No one, indeed, was surprised when the young Boyle decided to step into his forebear's shoes, so to speak.

"I saw my grandfather's picture in the town hall, and growing up in a small town like St. George's in the 1940s it was natural I should be influenced.'' His mom, Anne Earp, was also a major mentor who encouraged her son's aptitude for sport.

This included playing league soccer for St. George's and BAA.

"Like many sons, I suppose, I was very close to my mother, who died about 10 years ago. Yes, she was a very big influence.'' Unsurprisingly, his father -- who died when he was 16 -- was less of an influence.

"I was just getting to understand him when he died. We were getting on the same wavelength, and took a trip together. In some ways I feel cheated that he died when he did.'' After going to St. George's Grammar and Saltus, he studied business administration at Virginia's Washington and Lee University.

On his return, he quickly brushed aside thoughts of becoming a geologist, and threw himself into running the shoe company.

"I was just 22 when I became president, and I have no regrets about entering the family business.'' It was not just a case of all work and no play, however.

"I was a bachelor until I was 29-years-old, and I really had a lot of fun,'' he laughs.

"Bermuda was a nice place to be a single man and I just loved the night life.'' The bachelor life abruptly came to an end, however, when he met a young woman called Ann who came to Bermuda from America to play tennis.

After a whirlwind courtship they were married within seven months.

Entry into politics came via Pembroke parish vestry -- a fairly traditional stepping stone.

It was then almost casually on to the Corporation -- thanks to friends Warren Eve and Cyril Rance.

"They were members of the Corporation and asked me one day "why don't you run for office, since you have financial interests in the city?'.

"I ran and was successful, and have been a member ever since.'' For the record it has been 25 years -- 16 as a common councillor, and nine as an alderman.

"I wouldn't be on the Corporation if it was a salaried position. All the work we do is voluntary, and I see it as a way of giving back to the community.

"I think everybody should have a sense of feeling they belong to Bermuda.'' The former Hamilton Rotarian goes on: "I believe we all owe something to the community, and should become involved. It is what I felt at school. Always get involved in whatever you do.'' But will his involvement in the Corporation stretch beyond tomorrow? "I wouldn't have run if I thought I was going to lose, although I think it's going to be close.'' MR. BOB BOYLE -- "We need new blood, new eyes looking at some of the problems.''