TWO of Bermuda's top football clubs are facing another relegation from the top division this weekend.

PHC and Somerset Trojans, who between them have won 69 league and cup titles over the years (including 16 Friendship, 17 league and 18 FA titles), could both be relegated for a third time in their illustrious history on Sunday when they face must-win final matches of the season.

Those associated with these two famous clubs thought the worst had happened to them when they were relegated for the first time...1980 for the Zebras and 1996 for the Trojans who went down with their neighbours Someset Eagles.

Two years later both PHC and Somerset finished in the bottom two yet again, but this time Somerset were spared from another season of Second Division football when Hotels, who only escaped the drop on goal difference over the Trojans, pulled out the following season. That decision allowed the Trojans to stay up and keep the First Division at 10 teams.

Now, their luck is running out again as both they and PHC - ironically their tenants - struggle to keep Premier Division football at Somerset Cricket Club next season. It looks to be a daunting task as both teams not only have to win but will also need other results to go in their favour.

The relegation fight is the most wide open it has been for many years, with four teams facing the threat of First Division football next season. Add North Village and Devonshire Cougars to the championship race and it means that only two teams - Boulevard and Dandy Town - will have a stress-free Sunday afternoon.

Still, they can have a say in proceedings, with Boulevard travelling to White Hill Field to meet a Somerset Eagles side that are three points from safety. Four points separate Devonshire Colts fifth place from bottom team Zebras and any two can still go down. PHC, however, can only now catch Eagles and Trojans, but if Eagles snatch only a point off Boulevard, PHC's fate will be sealed. That point may or may not save Eagles, though, depending on what the Trojans do at Devonshire Rec. against the Cougars.

PHC, who have a better goal difference than Eagles, would pull off the great escape if they beat Devonshire Colts at home and Eagles and Trojans both lose. PHC would then finish ahead of Eagles on goal difference, which is presently minus-five to minus-13 in PHC's favour. Eagles, who spent most of the season on the bottom, have the worst goal difference of the bottom four teams, though that won't be a factor in their survival if they take the points off Boulevard.

Trojans can still finish with 17 points which is more than both Colts and Eagles presently have, so they aren't safe just yet. However, the onus is on the Trojans to come away with something - anything - from their visit to the Den.

It won't be easy as Cougars still have a mathematical chance of winning the league for the first time. It would have been better for the Trojans if the league has already been determined, but the faintest hope gives Cougars something to play for.

There is presently a three-point gap between Village and Cougars at the top, and the latter's only hopes rest with a Village defeat and then their own ability to beat Somerset by four goals. If it doesn't happen, Cougars can look to any number of recent results as the defining moment, including 2-2 draws with both Village and Dandy Town and then a shock loss to Boulevard in their last league outing. By comparison, Village have been unbeaten in the league since their 1-0 loss to Boulevard on October 19.

While Village are likely to be hailed as champions yet again, Boulevard's achievements this season cannot be understated. Promoted only a year ago, they have climbed to a comfortable third in the tables and are still in the semi-finals of the Friendship...not bad for a team many thought would struggle to stay up!

It wasn't that long ago that Devonshire Colts and Somerset Trojans were looking serious title contenders, so to see both of them battling with relegation is surprising.

Since their January 4 loss to Village, Colts have slipped down the tables, with only their recent win over Dandy Town stopping the rot.

One point could be enough to keep Colts in the Premier Division as Eagles and Trojans would then have to win. as Trojans would only then be able to finish level on points with them.

Sunday is also the day Hamilton Parish can officially clinch promotion from the First Division. They travel to Police Field to meet Prospect knowing that maximum points means that both Southampton Rangers and Ireland Rangers - who still have to play each other - cannot catch them.

Ireland Rangers should close the gap on second placed Southampton to two points. The former meet Paget at White Hill while Southampton have a bye.

In the other matches Wolves and St. George's meet at BAA Field while Social Club are at home to St. David's at Bernard Park.