Southampton Rangers, as expected, have been thrown a lifeline from Bermuda Football Association following Vasco's decision to quit the Premier Division.

BFA president Neville Tyrrell confirmed yesterday that a decision to allow Rangers to remain in the Premier Division was made by his executive committee two weeks ago following notification from Vasco that they would have to pull out because of an exodus of players.

Rangers, who finished third from bottom in the league last season, had been relegated to the First Division along with Boulevard and last-placed St.

David's as the BFA reduced the Premier Division to eight teams.

"The matter was actually dealt with by the executive committee following a recommendation from the league and competitions committee that Southampton Rangers be offered the opportunity to come into the Premier Division, and that's what has occurred,'' said Tyrrell. "That was confirmed on August 1 and should have been relayed to the club shortly afterwards.

"It appeared from The Royal Gazette Friday Forum column that the club had no knowledge of it, but by Friday of last week they certainly did know about it and it's clear that nothing was kept from them or the public.'' Some affiliates had reportedly felt that one way to fill the void was to organise a play-off involving Rangers, Boulevard and St. David's to determine who should stay up. But Tyrrell said he didn't favour that procedure.

"It was done in a regularised way. In fact, a precedent had been set two years ago when Ireland Rangers came into the then Second Division on the same basis. So we have done nothing different.

"I understand that somebody intimated that Neville Tyrrell made the decision about Southampton Rangers on his own but I can assure the public that I did not. If that is what somebody is thinking then tough, but that is not what happened.

"In fact, there is rarely a case that a decision is made solely by myself. If I am given the option of making a final decision it is obviously because two positions have been put on the table, both probably having merit, and I'm left to make the final choice.

"This was the fairest way. There are always other alternatives, but in terms of getting the league up and running on time I don't think alternatives are up for question right now.

"We have been along this road the last two years on going down to an eight-team division and this was all part of the restructuring recommendations. There was never a consideration of going back to a ten-team division.'' Tyrrell said he was disappointed Vasco had been forced to withdraw but said they could have avoided the crisis had they taken advice that had been offered by the BFA.

"I am very sad it has come to that. I believe that Vasco knew their position from years back when we had been telling them to look back to developing a youth programme because the day would probably come when something like this would happen. It happened, and I am very sorry to see them go,'' he said.

"But it should be another lesson to those clubs who feel that they can get by without a youth development programme, you simply cannot do it.''