Bermuda's football fraternity may not be feeling the Christmas spirit with the cancellation of this year's Dudley Eve Trophy competition.

Bermuda Football Association (BFA) General Secretary David Sabir confirmed yesterday that the traditional sporting showpiece of the Yuletide season was being shelved in favour of a tour by a Jamaican team to the Island.

"The Dudley Eve is off. That's a definite. There's no tournament. It's just an incoming tour," the BFA official told The Royal Gazette.

While it was previously indicated that a Jamaican team would be playing here at Christmas, it was thought that the Caribbean side would participate in a re-formatted Dudley Eve competition.

However, that is not to be though Chairman of the BFA's League and Cup Competitions Committee Charles Clarke said as much back in March when he informed the public that the tournament would be "restructured". At that time, there was no talk about it being jettisoned.

"It's a total restructure of the Dudley Eve. When we bring our tours in over the Christmas holidays the Bermuda national squad or the league leaders or champions will play the incoming team for the (Dudley Eve) trophy. One game will decide the winner.

"We will be getting away from the local teams playing so many matches over that period. We're hoping to get a minimum of three tour games played with the other matches involving the select teams or other existing title holders at the time," said Clarke back then.

It remains unclear. however, whether the decision to scrap the tournament, named in honour of a late BFA stalwart, is just for this year or if it is to be permanently cut from the football calendar.

Sabir declined to answer that query, saying: "I can't tell you that."

Neither could he say if the Jamaican contingent coming will be the famed national squad - known as the "Reggae Boyz" - or another combination of players from the first English-speaking Caribbean island to qualify for the World Cup final (1998, France).

"The organising committee is now finalising tour details. You will probably have something confirmed next week about the final make-up of the tour. Certain things are still being developed," said the general secretary, adding that "at least one of our Premier Division teams will be involved in the tour".

The Dudley Eve competition has been played since the 1978-79 season with Devonshire Colts being the inaugural winners. They overcame North Village with a 4-2 aggregate in a two-stage, home-and-away final.