Although the glory years of Young Men's Social Club are long gone, current team manager Wayne Gilbert insists that rumours of the club's imminent death have been greatly exaggerated.

While Social Club have frequently been unable to field full side, Gilbert says the team are adamant that they will remain a part of the First Division throughout this season.

"Social Club will be in the league longer than Larry Mussenden will be president of the Bermuda Football Association,"said a visibly agitated Gilbert.

"There is no such thing as us dropping out of the league, that is ridiculous!

"We are in no way or in any position to even entertain the notion of forfeiting our league status and relinquishing our proud and prestigious heritage."

Gilbert said the club had encountered difficulties with the BFA in regards to the potential transfer to his team of several youth players who had expressed an interest in becoming involved with the club.

Several youngsters, informed by coaching staff at Devonshire Colts that that club would not be entering an under-18 youth team, decided to sign up for the Bluebirds.

However, the transfer deadline had expired and a line of communication was never established between the BFA and Colts to inform the Association of developments, leaving both the players and Social Club in limbo.

Furthermore, players Social Club did manage to pick up had to wait until November to be eligible to play despite the fact that some had not played in the league before.

And to "rub salt into the wound," two players from a Commercial League outfit also hoping to join Social Club, decided otherwise after being asked by the BFA to state their reasons for switching clubs, further stagnating Gilbert's plan to structure a new nucleus of players.

"The problem lies with the BFA's transfer procedures, that is in dire need of revamping," complained Gilbert.

"We had a problem getting players signed by the BFA because of the late registration. We were eventually able to sign two of the youngsters, but lost out on the potential services of two other players who wished to join us from the Commercial League.

"We are in the process of rebuilding and we would have liked to have acquired more youngsters. I don't understand why the BFA makes it more difficult for a kid to move forward, let alone a Commercial Division player."

Bluebirds, a dominating force on the local scene during the 1960s, showcasing the talents of Dennis Wainwright Sr., John Roach, Carlton (Peppy) Dill, Donald (Dick) Dane, Earl Hart and Gladstone (Sad) Brown, to name but a few, have slipped into virtual obscurity in recent years.

Among the distinguished list of accomplishments during their hey-day were four FA Cup triumphs. The side also remained undefeated for three consecutive seasons, sweeping all major honours in both knockout and league competition.

During that time they represented Bermuda in matches against a top side from Portugal, whom they beat, the Jamaican national team and Scottish League giants Glasgow Celtic.

Now, however, the club are struggling at the bottom of the First Division.

Since the departure of Tokia Russell and top goalscorer Dennis Russell, who had raised hopes for the club's future before venturing westward to Somerset Trojans and PHC, the Bluebirds have again been reduced to the status of league minnows.

"If we have to ask senior players to come out and fill the void, then we will be prepared to do so," said Gilbert. "We still have a proud soccer heritage to uphold."