An injury has ruined the career of a second member of Bermuda's team from the 1992 World Cup qualifying competition.

Following on the heels of Neil Robinson's disclosure in November that a fractured ankle had forced him out of the game, comes the news yesterday that Lloyd Christopher, captain of last season's most successful team, Dandy Town, was also packing it in because of yet another knee injury.

Christopher, one of the Island's top fullbacks, suffered a knee injury during the Dudley Eve second final against Somerset at St. David's on New Year's Day as Town failed in their bid to retain one of the three trophies they won a year ago.

"I'm finished,'' confirmed the 30-year-old Christopher when contacted yesterday.

Christopher admitted he had made the decision himself to quit, with the other option being a long period of rehabilitation which will follow today's surgery.

"The doctor thinks the inside ligaments are torn and there is a lot of swelling underneath the knee,'' Christopher explained.

Arthroscopic surgery will determine the extent of the injury, possibly to be followed by full surgery.

The injury to the left knee came after Christopher made a challenge on Somerset midfielder Steven Arorash as he was about to shoot. He got caught in the knee area and with his foot still on the ground the leg twisted.

Twice before -- in 1989 and '90 -- Christopher suffered torn cartilages in his right knee which required operations and the latest setback has prompted him to think seriously about his future in the game.

"Right now I have no regrets,'' said Christopher, who informed his team-mates of his decision just prior to Tuesday night's Friendship Trophy match against St. George's which the defending champions won 3-2.

"The only trophies I haven't won are the FA and the Charity Cup but last season was a very successful year. I was also a member of the World Cup squad and I have played for my country before.

"I feel I have had a good innings and I want to go out on a good note and not when people are saying `why didn't Lloyd pack it in when he was playing properly'.'' Christopher admits the injury will rule him out for the rest of the season as he goes through a long period of rehabilitation. He hasn't ruled out returning to the football field in the future, but not in the First Division.

"It depends on how serious the injury is,'' he said. "I wouldn't mind playing in the Commercial Division, but not right now.'' Christopher has no fears about the team making another push for the top trophies this year. They are tied for first with Somerset and are also still in both the FA and Friendship trophy competitions.

"Just as long as we find a rhythm, which was what we did last year when we found a rhythm in the second half,'' explained the defender. "We have some depth with some young guys coming through.

"As long as the young guys stay dedicated and committed and not get easily discouraged we should be alright. Every player in his career has had to sit on the bench, I was even brought off once in the first half which wasn't too nice.'' Town lost another key player to an injury in the Dudley Eve with Walter Musson going off in the first final after taking a knock behind his knee. He has not played since and ironically it was in the first final of the Dudley Eve last season -- also at Devonshire Rec. -- that Musson's season was interrupted by injury.

Lionel Furbert is another Town player who sustained an injury in this season's Dudley Eve, limping off in the semi-final against PHC after scoring his team's first goal.

But even without the trio Town still managed to get past St. George's on Tuesday night to advance to the semi-finals of the Friendship.

"I didn't feel St. George's were going to get that third goal,'' said a confident Christopher after watching St. George's come from 3-0 down.

"This was one of the best Dandy Town has played in ball possession and attacking.'' `I'M FINISHED' -- Lloyd Christopher's (right) knee injury has ruled him out for the remainder of the season.