The recent disclosure by Bermuda Football Association (BFA) to jettison one of the Island's most lucrative tournaments, the Dudley Eve Trophy, has left the family of the late BFA founding member dumbfounded.

Following BFA general secretary David Sabir's announcement late last week that this year's tournament had been shelved in favour of inviting a touring side from Jamaica to play against local opposition during the Christmas holiday, son of the former Bermuda Football League founder, Alfie Eve, said it was dishonourable to scrap the cup competition which was named in memory of the many outstanding contributions of a Bermudian administrator.

The late Dudley Eve was a founding member of the former BFL and also played a significant role in desegregating football in Bermuda by helping to amalgamate the BFL with the predominantly white Bermuda Football Combination League to form the Bermuda Football Union - the predecessor of the present BFA.

He was also a long-serving secretary for former local powerhouse Pembroke Juniors during the 1940s and ‘50s.

Sabir's disclosure contradicted an earlier statement by BFA chairman for League and Cup Competitions, Charles Clarke, who stated back in March that the Dudley Eve Trophy would be “re-formatted” but not completely shelved.

BFA officials are expected to shed more light on the new holiday tournament some time this week.

In September, BFA officials came under scrutiny from affiliates after making changes to the Martonmere Cup competition during a heated Annual General Meeting held at Devonshire Recreation Club.

The BFA executive later decided to revert to the tournament's original format.

Alfie Eve said yesterday he was upset the tournament carrying his father's name was about to be dropped.

“His contribution was quite significant in terms of football in this country,” explained Eve.

“I can't see any reason for them to scrap it because that's the only trophy in this country that's played in honour of someone local.

“The reason for the Dudley Eve Trophy was to honour the commitment made by my father to football and local sport in general and for them to scrap it would be a dishonour to the man and a disservice to the country.”

Eve added that the Dudley Eve Trophy was one of the competitions which clubs really looked forward to playing in because of the cash incentive.

“To hear that they are scrapping it certainly doesn't suit well with me,” said Eve. “Another idea behind the Dudley Eve was to give the participating clubs an opportunity to generate some money and it replaced the old Christmas tours which the BFA found to be too expensive.

“Hence they came up with the idea to play a local tournament involving the top four teams at the top of the standings at the Christmas break.”

Despite Sabir's disclosure, the former PHC Zebras coach remains optimistic that the competition will be re-instated to the local soccer calendar.

“The Dudley Eve tournament can still be played. It doesn't have to played at Christmas. If they want to bring in foreign teams here, then fine. But I think that the Dudley Eve is a tournament that could be played during the evening because it's not a long competition.

“There are only four teams involved.

“But to talk about they are going to scrap it is certainly news that I can't welcome at this point in time.

“It provided a lot of other opportunities aside from just entertainment.”

The Dudley Eve Trophy has been played since the 1978-79 season with Devonshire Colts earning the distinction of being the inaugural winners.

PHC Zebras have won the competition the most of any club with six triumphs while North Village have won it five times. PHC were also the first club to win the trophy by the toss of a coin in 1981-82 over Somerset Trojans.

Wolves won the festive tournament last year and earned the dubious distinction of being the first team to lift the trophy and get relegated in the same season.