of over 200 soccer players seeking transfers at the end of the month.

A check with the Bermuda Football Association yesterday revealed that so far just four players had handed in their transfers, but the low number is no reflection of what is bound to occur by the end of the month.

There is usually a deluge on the last day with personnel at the BFA headquarters overwhelmed by crowds of players attempting to beat the deadline -- and unfortunately this year is expected to be no different than past years.

There is presently a beehive of activity among the clubs who are trying to get their squads together for the registration deadline -- several have called meetings for this purpose this week.

Because of the long procedure of processing the transfers the BFA are unwilling to reveal the names of the four who have applied for moves, but it is certain that Paynter plans to leave Dandy Town to return to St. George's Colts where he started as a youth player before joining the St. John's Road team for the 1987-88 season at a cost of $2,500.

Paynter, who is in North Carolina after graduating on the weekend, said yesterday: "Yes I will be moving back to St. George's, I just felt it was time to return.'' The defender only watched his former team play three times last season and thought that their shortcomings were scoring goals, not in defence. St.

George's though still managed to survive in the First Division.

"I thought their defence was okay, it was just a matter of their forwards scoring the goals. All I can say is that I am willing to assist wherever help is needed,'' he said.

Paynter was Mr. Versatile for Bermuda during the World Cup campaign when he played in defence and in midfield and his impending move will surely be one of the biggest this season.

Mark Trott, coach of Dandy Town, is well aware of Paynter's decision to return to St. George's. He said that it was no secret at all as the player had long expressed his intention move back to St. George's.

"He told us at the end of the season that he wanted to return to where he started out as a player, and we wished him the best,'' said Trott.

"Neil gave us very good services during the period he was with us. He is a player who brought class and leadership to the team and we were happy to have him. By playing regularly in the First Division he was able to further establish himself as a player of quality and we certainly cannot knock him for wanting to go back to help St. George's out.'' Two other prominent Somerset Trojan players, Dennis Brown and Kenny Thompson, are rumoured to be considering moves. When asked yesterday if there was any truth to reports that Brown intended to join Vasco the former Bermuda national team skipper refused to confirm the rumour.

"I've thought about it, but I haven't come to a decision at this point,'' said Brown, who was linked to Vasco several years ago before sticking with the Trojans.

He said that he intended to retire at the end of last season, but now he plans to continue playing -- for which club it remains to be seen.

Thompson is understood to have shown an interest in joining PHC, who would be his 10th team in as many seasons, but word is that the club have not shown a similar interest to gain his services.

While BFA president Charlie Marshall was yesterday emphasising the importance for players to get their applications in to the association as soon as possible to avoid the usual last-minute rush, he also took the opportunity to express his concern about the whole transfer process.

The president said that he personally was not happy with it and reckoned that it was something that the association would have to come to "grips'' with in the future.

"There are far too many transfers that take place, all of these moves by players at the end of the season does not help to upgrade the standard of soccer in the Island at all,'' said Marshall.

"As far as I am concerned the players have to be more committed to their clubs. Instead of moving on when things are not going well, they should remain and help that same club build on what they have.'' He pointed out that there simply has to be another way of dealing with the transfer situation, stating that it has to be made more difficult for a player to transfer.

"I am not against transfers altogether, I'm just disappointed with the high numbers who move each year. This prevents a lot of clubs from getting a chance to build from one season to another,'' said Marshall.

Nor was he pleased with the $2,500 transfer fee that is mandatory when a club receives a player who has come up through the junior ranks of another club.

Marshall said that the fee did no one any good.

NEIL PAYNTER -- Trading in his Dandy Town stripes for the blues of St.

George's.