players stay at their new clubs for a minimum of three years, starting next season.

This comes at a time when the governing body is concerned about the numbers of players who annually switch clubs with dizzying effect.

Recent years have witnessed the number of transfers at the end of each season spiral to the point where there may be well over 200 players changing uniforms.

This number represents over a quarter of the 700-plus players registered with the BFA and has become an ongoing nightmare for the administrative staff to sort out before the start of each new season.

The three-year rule has actually been listed as part of the BFA's standing orders for several years, but has never been rigidly enforced.

Under the heading `Qualification of Players' it is stated: "Once a player registers for a club, he or she shall not be eligible to transfer during the three-year period.'' BFA administrative assistant David Sabir said that the "bringing in line'' of the rule is aimed at helping both clubs and players in the long run.

"The attempt would be to offer continuity to any club's programme,'' he said.

"We're talking about developing football and it takes more than one season (with a team).

"I also believe the intent is that if a club is benefitting from the good deeds of a good player, that player should not be lured away from playing for that club.'' Most coaches and club administrators surveyed by The Royal Gazette yesterday were in agreement with enforcing the rule, saying that player loyalty had virtually disappeared and this might be a way to bring it back.

It would also prevent players that may have been on a team who were relegated to a lower division from jumping ship in search of greener pastures.

A recent example of this occured at St. David's, where a number of players were acquired from outside teams when they were promoted to the First Division for the 1992-93 season. However, they made an about turn when the belief was they would have to spend 1993-94 in the Second Division.

The withdrawal of Hotels allowed St. David's to remain in the top flight.

But, without the nucleus of the team from the season prior, they have struggled, losing all but one match thus far.

"Over the past, we've learned that good clubs are able to survive with good men staying at the club,'' said David Kneisler, president of BAA. "Now with the many transfers it's almost as if there's no loyalty anymore.

"Players need to commit and if we need a time frame to enforce that so be it...the three years (a player is at a club) may turn to five.

"I think it is a good thing. It can only help and in the end we may end up with better football.'' Echoing Kneisler's sentiments were Dandy Town coach Mark Trott as well as Alfie Eve of PHC and Somerset's Larry Hunt. However, Wolves' Jack Castle strongly disagreed.

"These guys are amateur players and should have the freedom to go where they want to,'' said Castle. "It's up to the clubs when they accept players to determine whether they're going to stay and help the club rather than move after one season.

"That's why you have established clubs like PHC, Somerset and North Village rejecting outsiders and looking to promote from within.'' There was also a major question raised regarding so-called fringe players who might train regularly with a particular club, but just cannot crack the starting line-up or even the first 16.

It was said to be unfair to have these players bogged down with no real hope of playing, which could ultimately lead to their withdrawal from the game.