either the Friendship Trophy or Martonmere Cup.

Similar appeals have been made in the past and fallen on deaf ears, but since the latest cry comes from Director of Coaching Clyde Best, Bermuda Football Association may be forced to listen.

"The amount of soccer played during the year is too much when one looks at the number of games played in a season,'' noted Best in his personal Restructuring Report for Bermuda soccer.

"Since the players are not professionals, we really need to look at the number of games they have to play per week. We should get rid of one of the cup competitions that is played. If we want to see good football it is best to reduce the amount of games played. That way the coaches will have more time on the training field with their players to improve all the skills needed to play good soccer.'' The Restructuring Report, produced two years ago by a committee headed by Cal Smith, expressed similar views, naming the Friendship as the knockout tournament which should be given the boot.

But no moves were ever taken and any likelihood of the the Martonmere Cup being chopped appears remote, especially since it has long been the BFA's biggest fund-raiser.

The Friendship tournament started in 1965 and the Martonmere 1972.

This week Best was more specific about curtailing the playing of knockout tournaments on the Island, indicating that he wasn't merely referring to it as an attempt to limit activity for the players.

"There has been a misunderstanding when I said we should reduce the number of soccer that is played ... what I am saying is that at the beginning of the season the coaches need more quality time with their teams in preparing them for the season. As things stand now we are playing three to four games a week which is far too much soccer,'' said Best.

"I strongly feel that if you want to see quality soccer played here in Bermuda you have simply got to draw things up on the training field, concentrate more on coaching and building the team to prepare for the playing side of things.'' Best said placing more emphasis on coaching and preparation puts teams in a much better position to deal with the challenges during the season ... and the public benefit from a higher standard of soccer.

Another point Best stressed as he attempts to assemble teams for upcoming international commitments was the importance of rallying behind national team call-ups.

"I want players to understand that in order to get the respect and praise that they want for their soccer talents, it's best that they go through the international channels rather than simply be satisfied with just playing for their club sides.''