David Bascome, whose status has skyrocketed in the past three seasons, said this week that his decision to play for promoted St. David's is a family one.

"I grew up in St. David's and I wanted to please my father whose wish was for us to some day come back and play for the club,'' he said. "I'm dedicating this season to him.'' Bascome, named MVP for the 1990-91 season when Boulevard captured the league and FA Cup double, refuted claims that he is being paid by the club, which is better known for its success in Eastern Counties Cup cricket.

The 24-year-old signed with United States indoor team Harrisburg Heat in the National Professional Soccer League in December. The Heat finished second in their division and were knocked out in the first round of the play-offs.

Bascome expects to play no more than six matches for St. David's as he is scheduled to return to Harrisburg at the same time next season.

"There's nothing in the lines of getting paid,'' said Bascome. "Just the usual insurance for possible injuries and compensation for work. Punchy (St.

David's coach Garrett Dill) was just as surprised as were his players when they found out I was coming to St. David's. I explained my reasons for choosing to play for them and they accepted it.'' Sure, why not? Bascome added that he leaves behind no bad memories of Boulevard who only lived up to their nickname Blazers after the Bascome influence set in.

"It hurt me to leave such a nice group of players,'' he said. "I've been with the best of players at Boulevard and North Village. We've won all the trophies there are out there.

"There is no longer much motivation to achieve anything there (at Boulevard or Village) and I think I can share what I've already got at St. David's.'' Bascome explained that his status as a "seasonal'' professional allows him to play at the amateur club level here. He said that he could only run into problems if he played internationally for Bermuda without notifying Harrisburg.

"If I played (for Bermuda) and failed to tell them, then I could find myself in trouble where they could fire me from the team,'' he said. "I have to let them know everything. They look at me as a prize being I am a foreigner playing for their team and I have to show a professional attitude in the way I carry myself.'' One player who is unfazed by the transfer traffic at his club is hard-nosed defender Leroy Stevens. "I don't know why they left but we'll be all right without them,'' he said. "I'm not worried. Albert (Caisey) didn't play a lot last year and the other one (Clinton) hardly played.

"If it was five starters I would be worried. But when we come up against them next year we'll definitely have something for them.'' DAVID BASCOME -- Taking control against Somerset.