team-mate Randy Horton believed he was worth. But Bermuda Football Association yesterday insisted that their new Technical Director was being "well compensated''.

Without divulging just how much Best was being paid after signing a three-year contract, BFA president Neville Tyrrell hinted it was one of the best deals that the association had ever negotiated with a coach.

Several weeks ago Horton said Best should be offered twice the $50,000 salary that was paid to former Technical Director Burkhard Ziese, because of his vast international playing experience and because he was an ideal role model for Island youngsters.

All Tyrrell would say, however, was that the contract was "a good one that satisfied both Best and the BFA''.

"Clyde Best has been offered a very interesting contract. We certainly believe that it commensurates with the great ability and experience that he has,'' said Tyrrell.

"Some people might be wondering if it's any less than anybody else would have got. But I can assure you that Best has been treated in all fairness in terms of what the contract offers.'' The president noted that it was an historic moment in Bermuda soccer to have a son of the soil appointed to the position -- an individual whom he said was an excellent model for the youth and the public in general.

Tyrrell said a lot of thought and careful planning had gone into the appointment and with the support of the business sector, spearheaded by Centre Re and the Bank of Bermuda, finances had been obtained to enhance Bermuda's coaching programme.

"In the past we have been heavily criticised for going into commitments and expecting moneys to come in afterwards, but this time we did it the other way around. We made our presentations to various businesses and once everything came into place regarding finances we were able to sign Best up,'' added Tyrrell.

"We would have liked to have signed him in January but because we were still negotiating with prospective sponsors, trying to convince them to come on board, things were delayed.

"Mind you, it allowed him to settle in and take on the commitment of the Shell Umbro tournament with the senior national team and this worked out as it gave us the chance to get to know each other. We were able to see how things were working together. We watched him and he watched us and it obviously worked well like a marriage.'' Tyrrell indicated that the BFA were working closely with the schools where Best and his coaching staff would be heavily involved.

"He will be going into the schools whenever it is possible. We have already talked with the Ministry, we have to get a balance to get to their PE Teachers and work with them. We understand that the schools are there to educate our children but we also must understand that we would like to see a multi-balanced situation with education and sports involved together.'' Aldwyn Savery, chairman of the BFA's coaching committee, said he was relieved that Best had now signed his contract and was ready to implement several coaching schemes that had already been planned.

"The thing that I think is most impressive about Clyde is that he is a very humble person. Although he knows a lot about soccer he is a great personality, he is able to come down to the players' level and still get a lot of respect from them,'' said Savery.

"I see him getting along well with the youngsters and, in fact, I can see him motivating also the people who are going to work with the youngsters in terms of realising that they are children and that we have to stage their development in terms of what ages they are.

"He seems to have a good orientation that development must begin at a very young age, that the players must be enjoying what they are doing rather than having too much structure and too much competition.''