Football Association. But BFA General Secretary David Sabir has stressed that the plan's success rests solely with the public as at least 175 people are needed to make the charter viable. A similar move by the BFA five years ago received overwhelming support when fans flew on a charter to Jamaica to cheer on the national team during their successful World Cup campaign. Now the BFA are anxious to find out whether interest is still high. "We are really working hard on this, we are anxious to see how the public will react,'' said Sabir yesterday. "We would like to carry about 175 people to Kingston to support the national team who will be playing matches against Puerto Rico and Jamaica who are the powerhouses of the Caribbean. "Jamaica are one of the six teams who have qualified for the final three places of the World Cup in the CONCACAF region.'' The initial cost of the flight would be $599 but tickets have to be obtained by February 1. Any purchase after that date would cost an additional $100, according to Sabir. "The last charter five years ago was a big success and the support that the fans gave the team during the game certainly was a great inspiration. There's no doubt that if another large contingent travels to Jamaica it will make a lot of difference once again,'' added Sabir. The flight, if chartered, would likely leave for Kingston on February 19 and return to Bermuda on February 24. The qualifying round in Jamaica has been shortened following Cayman Island's withdrawal, leaving the host country, Puerto Rico and Bermuda to battle for a spot in the next round.

Bermuda will play Puerto Rico on February 21 and then meet Jamaica on February 23. Both games will be played at the National Stadium. In addition to working hard on the charter, the BFA are still locked in talks with English Second Division clubs Bristol City and Walsall about the possibility of having Shawn Goater and Kyle Lightbourne available to represent Bermuda in Jamaica. While FIFA rules indicate that all professional players must be released by their clubs if they are required for national team commitments, the BFA say they are being careful not to hamper the progress of the players. "We are still in very close contact with the players and their managers and a decision one way or another must be made by this weekend,'' said Coaching committee chairman Aldwyn Savery. "There definitely has not been a decision made. We have been careful to check things out thoroughly, to ensure that there will be no negative impact if the players were to leave their clubs for a short period.

"Mind you, we are only talking about missing one game in England, that's if you look at their original schedule. But there are other things to consider like rescheduled games etc., so until all of this is looked into carefully we will have to wait and see.'' Savery assured that the BFA would not make any decision that would jeopardise the players' future positions with their clubs, emphasising that their time away would only be for a "very limited period''.

"Since we will be playing just two games in the tournament it just may not have a big impact on the players or their clubs. But it also should be pointed out that the players are interested in coming. "We are very sensitive to what the players want themselves and to what contribution they are making to their teams. We certainly don't want to jeopardise this in any way,'' added Savery.