These are words rarely associated with Boulevard's Leroy Stevens.

More likely one would find terms like rough, rugged and raw affixed to his name when discussing his on-field performance.

The marking centre-half is more noted for his hard tackling and blue-collar work in defence and will no doubt be looking to put the crunch on Devonshire Colts tomorrow when the two sides meet in the FA Cup final at National Stadium (3 p.m.).

"A tower of strength,'' was how coach Gary Mallory described his top defender, who along with Wayne Richardson are the longest serving centre-back combination in the First Division, having been paired the past five seasons.

"Through the years Roy has worked up to where he is and now is the number one centre-half in the Island.'' Nicknamed `Baby Roy' after his father, as well as being the youngest sibling, Stevens' game has certainly grown from the infant stage to one of giant proportions on the local scene.

This is evidenced by his inclusion in the Bermuda national team the past three years. The 27-year-old made his debut in a 2-1 win over Moscow Locomotive, first teaming in the heart of defence with Dennis Brown and more recently during the World Cup campaign, having Shawn Smith and Neil Paynter as his partners.

However, for all his accomplishments thus far and the respect garnered throughout the league, he regards the 1989-90 season where Boulevard finished eighth as his most memorable.

"When I look back at my career the first thing I remember is battling relegation with Boulevard,'' said Stevens. "Late in the season we were playing Colts at (Southampton) Rangers and had to battle for Second Division to see which one would go down.

"I look at those hard times and I'm just so glad for the club to get the (present) rewards.

"Because from juniors I've been there and watched the team struggle over and over. When I was coming up I never even believed Boulevard would ever be in the FA Cup, so now that I'm doing it I just want to stay there.'' Boulevard won the aforementioned match 4-1 to stave off the drop and since then have rose to prominence in the division.

Stevens said that he looks forward to the one-on-one confrontations with opposing attackers, but his feeling toward them is strictly one of `no nonsense'.

"I look at the strikers and say `hey, they can't pass me', that's the attitude I carry on the field.

"It's positive. I don't think anything bad...he's got to earn my respect.

"During the game there isn't any friends. I'll shake your hand after the game, but other than that it's business.'' With the efficient Richardson alongside, the duo are able to combine and avert most threats on their goalmouth. The lanky Richardson is stronger in the air, while Stevens dominates the ground game.

Said Stevens: "We have a very good understanding on the field. And once you have that you know what he's going to do and he knows what I'm going to do.

"It comes from being able to read each other because we've been there a while and have good communication.'' When asked about the perception by some of Boulevard being a group of rebels, Stevens indicated that this was more due to their geographical positioning than anything else.

"We don't have a bad rep. That's something that's put on us.

"From you being in the back of town, struggling, you have a bad rep from jump. Because when I go somewhere and sign my name, Leroy Stevens, the name will get the attention, but when I tell them my address, Curving Avenue, automatically they think something bad...just from where you come from.'' "All down there (at Boulevard) is all good things, no bad guys, you don't read about them in court all the time.

"But you know how society looks upon dreads, it's just the struggle the club's got to deal with.'' As for the looming FA Cup final Stevens would not be drawn on making a prediction, but was confident of a good showing by his team.

"As long as we're playing our game nobody can touch us.'' Tomorrow's final will be preceded by the Crystal Palace Youth Cup final at 12.30 p.m. between Somerset and Dandy Town.

LEROY STEVENS -- `I look at the strikers and say, `hey, they can't pass me'...'