Fears are growing that a referee shortage crisis could mean some top soccer matches being overseen by one lone official, with no assistants.

The situation could become dire if sickness or vacations take their toll within the next three months, according to the chairman of the Bermuda Football Association's referees committee Gregory Grimes.

"The situation is really bad right now and it could get worse if anybody else becomes unavailable between now and December. As of now we have only 19 registered referees, but with a few unavailable because of work commitments our numbers have in fact dwindled down to 13 regulars, plus we have three new people to go along with them.

"The truth of the matter is that the season just cannot work like that, if you don't have officials you don't have football and that's where we could be if things get any worse,'' he said.

In addition to losing referees like Gary Cook and Leroy Wilson for the entire season, both of whom were active last season, among the other referees who will be unavailable on separate occasions are Tracy Adams and Stuart Crockwell. Anthony Wilson is also gone for the whole season while Andre Manders will not be available for a further few weeks.

"We can barely get by as it is with what we have, any sickness or vacation will kill us and we certainly don't want a new season to run into any such difficulties,'' said Grimes.

"I really do fear the time when we will be forced in a position of having to limit just one referee at a game without any linesmen, if that occurs then a call will definitely have to go out to the clubs to find capable members to offer assistance to the referee as linesmen.'' He conceded that the BFA's decision to spread some of the Premier Division games out by scheduling them on Friday and Saturday nights will have some benefits, but finding sufficient officials for the games remaining in the Commercial League on Saturdays and the First Division on Sundays is expected to be a strain.

He admitted that there are some short term plans that were being discussed to help the situation such as re-evaluating the referees pay scale and seeking exposure abroad for the younger officials to assist in their further development.

"In fact we now have a committee out looking at a wage increase and something should be put forward to the executive committee next week. We are also hoping to get some international exposure for younger referees such as having them go to tournaments within the United States and to put the onus on some clubs providing referees assistants from within may be another positive move,'' he added.

"Naturally we are continuing our efforts to persuade new recruits to join our ranks, the invitation and call is now being put out loud and clear for the public to rally behind us. This time we are also aiming at females, we just don't want them and the general public to support the game of football we can use them as officials as well.'' Gary Cook: one of the referees no longer on duty this season.