Devonshire Colts, forced to vacate Frog Lane field to allow work to begin on the next phase of the National Sports Centre, will be using BAA Field for their home matches in the 1996-97 soccer season.

Colts have been seeking a new home since last year when they were given notice to leave Frog Lane, their base since 1989.

And though Government-owned Garrison Field was offered to them last year by the Department of Youth Development, Sport and Recreation, the club continued to look for another venue for their First Division matches.

Two factors weighed heavily in that decision -- the travel distance and the amount of money needed to upgrade the fencing for First Division games.

However, the club will still be using Garrison Field, according to secretary Stanford Bean who confirmed that the pitch would be home for their Commercial and Alliance Division teams.

In fact, Colts will be using three venues in all, with Police Field to be the base for their youth teams from Pee Wees up to the Junior Division.

Colts are expected to sign a one-year contract with BAA for the use of their ground for home matches. Also included in that agreement will be the right to train at BAA twice a week.

"We've chosen to go with BAA, it suits us better, primarily because we would love to stay central,'' said Bean, who admitted that the club had approached two other centrally located clubs.

"We're due to receive the final draft of the contract with BAA this week but we've worked everything out. We've had an extensive negotiating period which we started last year, not just with BAA but a number of other clubs.'' Colts have used two east end grounds in the past, Wellington Oval and St.

David's, but were very reluctant to move out of the central parishes.

"We're a Devonshire club and we would love to stay within the proximity to which we've grown accustomed,'' explained the secretary.

"We have access to Garrison Field which we will retain and we are still very interested in fixing up and utilising Garrison Field, but because of lack of funds within our organisation it is a big undertaking.

"There is fencing to be repaired there and we had to look at the whole element of security in terms of putting up tarpaulin of which we only have a limited amount.'' Bean also pointed out that the club also did not have enough time to get Garrison Field up to scratch in time for the new season.

With BAA not opening their field until September 1, Colts planned to use Garrison Field for a friendly match against Cumberland University (Kentucky) yesterday. The visiting college will also play North Village and PHC tonight and tomorrow before departing on Wednesday.

"We're very happy to reach an agreement with BAA and we're looking forward to a successful season from a First Division point of view as well as working along with the BAA teams that are going to be training there,'' said Bean.

"We knew what we wanted in terms of hammering out an agreement and we were able to secure just that...training and First Division games out there.'' Bean added that Police Recreation Club were also offering their facility free of charge and Colts plan to install their own lights there which would provide additional lighting for training.

"We are pleased with the Police for accomodating us from a youth point of view,'' Bean stated. "We sat around a table with a significant number of people -- the Director of Youth and Sports (Brenton Roberts) was there -- and we are happy that they have taken the time to accomodate a suggestion that we made to them at least a year ago.

"We will not be in a contract mode with them, just a written agreement per se and there is is no charge, at this moment, for being there.'' Bean also noted that Colts could eventually find themselves back at Frog Lane once the National Sports Centre was completed. Government have indicated that Frog Lane, which will contain two new soccer pitches, could be used for matches only.