Bring back the Dudley Eve Trophy!

That was the view of former West Ham striker and inaugural Hall of Fame inductee Clyde Best this week.

While the new Champions Cup tournament is currently in full-swing, there are those who argue the former Dudley Eve Trophy competition ? honouring one of Bermuda Football Association?s (BFA) founding members ? should have never been axed as it was the sole cup competition named after a local who made an immeasurable contribution to the local sport.

?It?s like saying you?re going to dismantle the English FA or League Cup in the UK. Here?s something that?s been in place for years and something that needs to continue for future generations,? Best argued.

?Here is an individual that did so much for local football and we need to have a tournament named after someone that meant so much to us in those early years ? and Dudley Eve was certainly one of them.

?We just don?t uphold our history and now the BFA have decided to pull the plug on the Dudley Eve ? and it?s not right. And I think this was something that should have been thoroughly discussed before a decision was made.?

The Dudley Eve competition, first played in 1978-79, had been in existence for 26 years and proved to be highly successful with throngs of fans showing up at club grounds for the festive tournament that also provided a platform for overseas college players ? back home for the holidays ? to showcase their talents.

The last Dudley Eve Trophy competition was staged in 2001-02 and won by Wolves who crushed six-times champions PHC Zebras in the two-leg final. Wolves also became the first club ever to win the tournament and then get relegated in the same season.

Devonshire Colts were the inaugural winners of the Dudley Eve Trophy.

Prior to that, local football fans were treated to incoming tours over the festive period.

Changes were first made to the Dudley Eve Trophy competition two years ago when overseas national teams were invited to play against local clubs or selects for a commemorative shield.

A local select defeated Jamaica?s Under 23 national team 2-1 in 2002-03 while Barbados defeated the Island?s senior national team 2-1 in last year?s tournament at the National Sports Centre.

?I don?t know why the tournament could not remain the way it was and still be called the Dudley Eve,? Best continued.

?The game is not about individuals but it?s important that we recognise and honour people who have contributed along the way. And if it?s not broken then why fix it??

Prior to his untimely death, the late Dudley Eve had been involved in local football for over 35 years, holding every position in the BFA at one time or another.

The late BFA administrator is perhaps best remembered for the significant role he played in the racial desegregation of football in Bermuda and the amalgamation of the Bermuda Football Union (BFU) and the Bermuda Football League (BFL) in 1963.