The Corona Football League was officially launched at Gosling's yesterday, with the founders hailing its creation as a victory for 'guys who just want to play football'.

Twelve teams will take part in the inaugural league season, which is scheduled to begin in late September. There will also be an All-Star game at the end of the season, which is being sponsored by Docksiders, and a cup competition, the Bistro Challenge Cup, which is being sponsored by Bistro at the Beach.

There is even a website for the new league (www.bermudacl.bm), which will eventually have all the results and information for the teams taking part.

Big-name clubs such as Lobster Pot, Tuff Dogs, and Vasco, who all feared they might go out of existence when the Commercial League was disbanded, have got together and created a league they believe will be popular with the Bermuda public.

"The Corona League was created because we wanted to find a way that would allow these teams, some with over 30 years of history, to continue playing," said league spokesman Mike McGrath. "This league is the most diverse on the Island. It is a melting pot for all the people in Bermuda, from accountants to mechanics, all with one thing in common, a love of football."

They have already attracted a major sponsor, with Gosling's throwing their weight behind the league competition which will be solely-based at BAA Field.

"It (getting behind the league) was a no-brainer as far as we were concerned," said Charles Gosling.

"It's a great little league, and is not only competitive, but friendly and social as well. It is a perfect fit for Gosling's."

In some respects the founders have created a league that the Bermuda Football Association may end up looking at with envy. Their games will all be played on the best surface on the Island, with BAA due to begin installing a synthetic pitch in the next few weeks, and all the matches will be played over the course of 24 hours. Two games will take place on Friday night at 6pm and 8pm, and another four games will be played on Saturday with the first game beginning at mid-day.

The founders haven't neglected anything in their bid to create a viable, sustainable alternative to the Commercial League. There will be referees, with the Bermuda Referees Association already agreeing to take part, and there is even a rule regarding dual registration, and an age-limit.

To help the BFA in their quest to develop the under-23 league, no one under that age will be allowed to register for a Corona League club. Similarly, any player that appears in the Premier Division or First Division will be prevented from playing in the new league that same season.