affiliates voted last night at a special council meeting at Devonshire Recreation Club to have the Bermuda Football Association adhere to the legal advice given it on the matter.

"After a lengthy discussion amongst all affiliates, the affiliates voted to adhere to the advice given by our legal advisor to return to 10 teams in the First Division,'' said president Charlie Marshall after the more than two-hour meeting.

The association's failure to decide on whether there should be nine or 10 teams in the top division has marred the build-up to the new season. First the association decided not to replace Hotels who withdrew, then twice it changed its mind going into last night's meeting.

Now, once again the executives of the association will meet to decide who that 10th team will be, a decision that should finally be known when they emerge from an emergency meeting this evening at the BFA office.

"There is going to be 10 teams in the First Division and I don't care who that 10th team will be,'' said St. David's secretary Stuart Crockwell after the meeting.

Crockwell was representing a group of affiliates who had challenged the association to adhere to its rules and return the division to 10 teams.

And while the method of deciding that 10th team will be left in the hands of the executives, it does not look likely that there will be a play-off between two or three clubs as was one of the suggestions put forward by Crockwell, especially with the start of the season fast approaching.

"As to who the 10th team will be we will leave that decision up to the executives and accept whatever decision is made,'' said Crockwell.

His club, who were the second team relegated from the First Division, look the likely choice for that 10th spot, with Wolves, who finished third in the Second Division, being the other strong contenders.

Marshall had admitted recently that the rules governing general competition called for a 10th team, though his executives then went and voted against both that and the legal advice given.

"We could not come to a consensus, sought legal advice and then went against that advice by a majority,'' Marshall disclosed. "Under the rules it states that we must give a one-year notice if there is to be any change in the composition of the league. Therefore we must fill the vacancy as laid out in the rules governing the First Division operation.'' The rule reads: "Additional vacancies caused by the retirement of a team or by the withdrawal of a member from the competition shall be filled by the executive committee.'' Said Marshall: "Our objective is to promote and enhance association football in Bermuda. This matter will be resolved tomorrow night.'' Meanwhile, a rift has apparently developed between club officials and supporters of Second Division team Paget who were recently withdrawn from competition because of a lack of interest shown by the players.

"We will be using our good offices to heal the rift at that club,'' Marshall said.