The ability of St. David's football chairman Stuart Crockwell to persuade Andrew Bascome to stay on as coach could make or break the Islanders as they prepare for the new soccer season.

Should Bascome leave, then several of his players will likely follow suit and like neighbours St. George's, the club will face a major rebuilding job in the Second Division.

Both clubs were relegated from the First Division last season and the situation became even more alarming recently with the disclosure that several first team players from both teams were looking to take their talents elsewhere.

Club presidents Delby Borden (St.David's) and Mansfield Smith (St.George's) are well aware of what lies in store.

"We'll just have to use the Bantams and a few of the other guys who didn't play last year,'' said Borden who admitted his club had been attempting to persuade Bascome to stay.

A total of 19 St. David's players obtained releases which would clear them to seek transfers before the July 30 deadline. Bascome and new national team player Keith Jennings are among them.

"It's a shame because we didn't play bad soccer last season,'' added Borden.

"A lot of them are just saying they got a release in case they do decide to transfer.

"We'll have to start all over. Several of them got offers to play with other clubs and I'm pretty sure if Andrew leaves they will leave. Andrew has done a magnificent job with the team but the players let him down by coming up a little short.'' Jennings' game has blossomed since leaving North Village and playing under Bascome at St. David's. He toured St. Martin with the Bermuda national team in April and like Neil Paynter and Dean Bailey at St. George's, his decision not to play in the Second Division was almost certainly influenced by international aspirations.

"When he first came to us he used to get a lot of red cards but last year he matured tremendously,'' said Borden. "I wish him all the best if he leaves the club.

"I felt he was one of the players who gave his all when he played.'' St. George's will have practically a new team from a year ago should players follow through with their threats to leave. Several key men -- Neil Paynter, Donald Whitfield, Clay Smith, Jerome Laws, Marlon Outerbridge, Derek Wright, Quinton Francis and Dean Bailey -- have obtained releases and in the next month could be joining new clubs.

Club president Smith admitted the situation wasn't very encouraging as they also need to find a new coach following the resignation of Earl Basden.

Initially Basden sent a letter to the club stating he would like to return next season but later sent off another letter confirming his intention to resign because of personal circumstances.

Basden was the fourth coach in five years, coming after Herbie Bascome and Neil Paynter who each held the job for one year. Gregory Foggo was coach for two years prior to Paynter.

"We had a rebuilding programme two years ago when Neil got us on track and Herbie did a tremendous job,'' said Smith. "Then we lost a few key players last year and a change of coach hurt us. We struggled through last year without a quality goalkeeper and someone to put the ball in the net regularly.''