in the sport with the prospects of career-ending back surgery looming.

Speaking yesterday from his residence in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the player said that he had not yet made a decision on whether to have an operation, which would fuse two vertebrae in his lower back or continue natural rehabilitation.

But if he does choose to have surgery there is only a five percent chance he will ever play again, according to his doctor Thomas Yucha.

"I have to see a back specialist in January, right now I'm doing intense physical therapy,'' said Bascome, who recently requested a release from National Professional Soccer League side Harrisburg Heat.

"I've been told that if I have the surgery my chances of playing again would be slim and I might be out for at least a year just going through rehab.

"Right now I just want to get healthy and this is something I really have to think about. I could play now, the injury wasn't really affecting me on the pitch, it was mainly after I had finished a game where the problems started.

"But I say to myself, `Is playing soccer for the next two months worth the rest of my life'.'' Bascome further went on to say that he was feeling much better since starting the physical therapy sessions.

"I think it has a lot to do with my size and I'll need to continue to strengthen my back.

"Last season I took seven cortisone shots. They help but it doesn't solve the problem.'' Bascome is finding it hard to sit on the sidelines in a spectator role when what he really wants is to be out there participating.

He said: "Everyone around here -- from my coach to my team-mates -- are wondering what's happening with me and I just have to tell them, `Hey, my health comes first and that everything will be all right'.'' Residents in the Frog Lane area have once again voiced their concern over the inconvenience that soccer fans cause them by parking anywhere along the street while attending matches at Frog Lane field and Devonshire Recreation Club.

They feel that the BFA in particular have reneged on a promise to have the matter sorted out more than a year ago and are now wondering what their next move will be.

John Simmons, one of several neighbours bringing the matter to light this week, yesterday said that they became frustrated again last Sunday when parking by fans attending the two FA Cup first-round matches caused the residents great difficulty in getting to their homes.

"We have previously informed the BFA of the problems that exist when two matches are held at the adjacent fields at the same time and they assured us that this would be corrected,'' said Simmons.

"We've talked to the BFA president Mr. Charlie Marshall and the former administrative assistant Mr. Joe L. Brown and both indicated that there will be no scheduling of games simultaneously at the two venues.'' He said that in addition to meeting with the BFA officials, residents also approached the police who could only refer them to the association.

Simmons said that the area members of parliament had also been appraised of their dilemma in the past and that a new approach will be made to them if no satisfactory solution is found soon.

BFA president Marshall said yesterday that he hoped the matter could be addressed in the New Year, but indicated that the hiring of a policeman to supervise parking and traffic control during the games will probably be the only answer.

"If this is the only solution then perhaps the cost will have to be shared by the two field operators and the association, but this is something that has to be discussed by the three groups,'' he said.

"The main thing is that we've had dialogue about the matter and we hope to get it on the priority list in the New Year.''