have expressed interest in an offer made by Premier Division club West Ham following an exploratory trip to England.

According to Bermuda's Technical Director Clyde Best, a former West Ham star who has been instrumental in getting the two players admitted to the club's soccer academy, the youngsters could officially join the Hammers' programme next year.

But a final decision is in the hands of the parents, who are concerned about the boys' education.

"The parents liked everything, the boarding school where the boys would attend, the academy and both the accommodation and the environment of the area where they would be staying,'' said Best.

"If things materialise it will be a great opportunity for the boys and something that I hope will inspire others. There are others who could follow and I would urge those with a desire to play professional football to strive to reach these goals.

"Youngsters with any aspirations to play overseas have to be totally committed to working hard both at school and during training for soccer. But they also have to go through our (BFA) programmes in order to prepare for international exposure the proper way.

"There are more opportunities out there now than when I came up in the mid sixties. They have to take every opportunity possible to achieve what there is to achieve ... but they must be reminded that there are going to be rules.'' Blanchette and Hall got a head start earlier this year when Best took them to Schools of Excellence with well known clubs in the London area, West Ham United and Barnet included.

Since both performed well, their parents then visited England to get a first hand look at the club's proposal, specifically the school the boys would attend.

Best admitted that taking up full-time residency in England at a young age was a huge adjustment and it was vital for the parents to investigate the standard of schooling.

He noted that both boys were considered to be good students who have grown to accept that academics comes first and soccer second.

It was their school grades combined with soccer skills that prompted Best to assist them.

Both are members of the Bermuda under-15 national squad. Hall, a goalkeeper, is 14 years-old, attends Mount St. Agnes and plays with St. George's juniors while Blanchette, a midfielder, is also 14, attends Saltus Grammar School and plays for Somerset.