Young Men?s Social Club are poised to axe at least a dozen players as they begin to restructure their soccer programme after pulling out of the First Division early last November.

Team official Fred (Pinks) Lewis told yesterday that a meeting involving the coaching team and players was scheduled for last night when that decision and other plans leading to their revival and return to competitive soccer next season was expected to be discussed at length.

?I really can?t give an exact number right now but my guess is that at least 12 will be released, that?s for certain,? said Lewis.

?But that number wouldn?t hurt us much, there wouldn?t be any dent because we have about 30 players who are registered. We remain quite hopeful about the future and coming back to play some serious soccer.?

Social Club executives and team officials had to swallow their pride and pull out of competitive soccer when the sign was clear that the squad were lacking in both desire and commitment.

Club executives had to wipe away tears in making the tough decision to withdraw, preferring to do so and concentrate on weeding out the undesirable players rather than continue through to the end of the season when team morale was low.

At the time Lewis said they would regroup only with players they identified as being loyal, fully committed and dedicated on working hard to represent the club and helping them return to prominence next season when they feel they will be better equipped.

Lewis also noted they intended to hold onto their committed players but were anxious to release those ?not wanted? so the departing players could do whatever they liked, including seeking to join the ranks of other clubs.

The demise of Social Club came suddenly after they were humiliated 20-0 by Somerset Trojans in a First Division game ? the performance of the Hamilton-based club forcing officials to throw in the towel.

Lewis said at the time the decision was both correct and sad, but emphasised that it didn?t mean their days were over. ?Far from it?, he assured.

?All is certainly not lost at Social Club. It could be looked at as being a temporary setback, but it will be a way for us to regroup and concentrate on coming back better organised and with more of a purpose to make a greater contribution to the sport of football in the Island,? he said.

?We have talked with our players, we are going to continue to train with those coaches and those players who want to train so that we can be really prepared for next season, the others we are simply letting go.?