Neville Tyrrell will be a drive to heal rifts with the affiliates.

After settling into his first full day in what could be the highest profile position in Island sport, he said it was obvious their differences needed to be looked into -- hinting that last Monday's meeting showed signs of feuds existing from past difficulties.

"One of the major issues I feel I am going to have to deal with is a healing exercise of the affiliates. I got from the AGM that the affiliates will support us, the executives, but I still sense an undertone that a healing exercise needs to go on because there appears to be still a bit of the past labouring in the minds of many that has to be sorted out,'' said Tyrrell.

"I see it as a high priority of the BFA and it's clear that I have to play a leading role in the exercise. I also keep hearing the word development and that too much is being placed on winning, but this has to go right down to the clubs.

"It's true that winning is not everything and that we have to develop, but in doing so we have to put our heads together, the BFA and the clubs, and say over the next four years that this is where we want to be and prepare a good developing programme.'' Despite the present money restraints, he noted that plans will obviously be made to discuss hiring a new Director of Coaching and by the time that is done a sound development programme will be put in place in a bid to raise the soccer to a much higher level.

Tyrrell also mentioned that the BFA's hopes of restoring the credibility of soccer in the island has long been documented since March and that the return of support by the business sector for the recent Youth International tournament clearly indicated that they were rebounding.

But he said his task in the immediate future is to focus on appointing the right people to the right positions.

"In the next week weeks we have to sit down and determine where the talent we have should be best utilised,'' said Tyrrell.

The new president said that he was pleased to see affiliates' positive reaction to the nominations committee presentation of a slate of officer for the first time in many years, insisting that it was an appreciative step taken.

Now he is looking forward to the assistance of many of its members, consisting of honourary vice presidents, in the selection of the five directors within the next 30 days.

"I think there is a good mixture of elected persons on board who I certainly feel are capable of guiding and developing our football into the year 2000,'' said Tyrrell of the officers elected this week.