Government's Board of Inquiry report that alcohol be banned at soccer games as an experiment.

Many claimed over the weekend that if such a ban were enforced, Government would have to assist clubs with a subsidy to compensate for the reduction in revenue.

Banning the sale of alcohol at local matches was one of various recommendations made by the Board of Inquiry, set up after the Miami Seven drug arrests and headed by Sir John Sharpe.

Most club officials approached admitted they had not been fully appraised of the board's recommendations and therefore could not offer a detailed response.

But mere mention of an alcohol ban appeared to strike a nerve.

Mansfield Smith, president of St. George's Cricket Club, claimed such a ban would destroy many clubs.

"It would mean the death of a lot of clubs who are trying their best to assist our youth,'' said Smith. "It's during games that the clubs make most of their money from the sale of liquor and the revenue mostly goes towards supporting youth programmes.'' Somerset Cricket Club's president Reginald Pearman sang the same tune, pointing to a subsidy as the only way that most clubs could survive following the loss of bar sales.

"Government would have to subsidise us,'' said Pearman. "We definitely could not make it without the sale of liquor. It's unfortunate it's this way but it's something that we have always found to be a fact.'' A ban, however, would be less critical at BAA, a club that claims it is not fully dependent on liquor sales.

"I guess you can say that we could exist without bar sales during games because we have other income coming in from our car park and our bingo nights.

We run all of this as a business and cannot rely on just membership to bring in revenues,'' said president David Kneisler.

"I support the concept recommended by the board because we in Bermuda need to do things to try to improve the situation. We know that often unruly people do not make it a comfortable environment to be in, and if that (alcohol ban) is going to help out, then I support it.'' However, Kneisler sympathised with the clubs who don't have other avenues through which to raise additional cash.

"I do understand that liquor is a big revenue earner and that a lot of other clubs would not be able to exist. But that is why we have to walk down the same path with Government and Government has got to come to grips and support these clubs financially.

"Regardless of the fact, if the recommendation is not to sell liquor then I support it. But I also think there should be something coming along with that.

In other words, Government will have to help subsidise the clubs. They know that liquor sales are a big money earner for them.'' Devonshire Recreation Club and Southampton Rangers both believed they would suffer heavily in the event of a ban.

Alfred Augustus, secretary of Devonshire Rec., said: "All clubs will be affected the same way. If their main revenue comes from liquor sales then it's hard to see how they will survive without it.

"It doesn't make sense to have a suggestion like this without pointing out that they will suffer heavily in the event of a liquor ban.

"The clubs take care of a whole lot of children and grown ups by staging various programmes, all of which require money to support.'' Aldwyn Savoury, president of Southampton Rangers, also pointed to the community services that were extended by the clubs and their various programmes which were made possible largely through the sale of liquor.

Told of the reaction by club officials, Sir John said: "It's understandable, because it's part of their financial dependence.''