Soccer enthusiast Larry Dunlop has launched a one-man crusade aimed at garnering support for the inclusion of fallen soccer star Andrew Bascome in the national team.

Dunlop is circulating a petition among the public aimed at getting at least 5,000 signatures accompanied by promises of donations of a dollar or more.

The action is an attempt to force the Bermuda Football Association's hand toward placing Bascome in the side to add spark to an ailing midfield.

"The petition is twofold,'' said Dunlop, who previously voiced his opinion in a letter to the Sports Mailbox. "One, I want to find out how many feel the way I do, and two, if they are willing to put their money where their mouth is.'' A deadline of next Thursday has been set at which time the petition will be presented to the BFA. If the recommendation is then accepted by the association -- that is if Bascome is named to the squad -- the money would then be handed over.

Glaring weaknesses in the Bermuda midfield have steered Dunlop to this course as he feels that Bascome is the only local player capable stamping some authority in that area of the pitch.

Said Dunlop: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing and shouldn't we have our best team out there.

"We've tried Shawn Goater, Albert Smith and Shawn Smith in midfield without success...then we've switched from this formation to another.

"At least we're still hanging on by a thread and have hope. Let's fix this problem now before it's too late.'' He added that he had spoken with Bascome before launching the drive and the player voiced his willingness to play for his country if indeed the public is behind him.

Bascome was dropped from the squad after failing to appear for the 1991 tour of Canada. Bascome said that he had notified coach Gary Darrell 10 days in advance of his unavailability, but has not been in the squad since.