Blazers hit the streets, international defender Albert Caisey was saddled with a double burden.

The Island's best left-back is still paying for an outburst during the first half of a friendly international against Norway in February when he was sent off for kicking Ronny Johnsen in the first half.

And now, Caisey along with brothers Clinton and Taur have pulled up stakes at the club that has grabbed most of the headlines for the past two seasons -- though not for all the right reasons.

The Caiseys' defection, in hand with the transfers of the three Bascome brothers -- coach Andrew, David and Herbie -- hits hard at the core of Boulevard.

Caisey, 24, has been a regular since he turned 17 when he replaced Sinclair Boyles. But the youngster is quick to note that he started his soccer career at North Village and felt this was the best time to return.

"There are many reasons that I have for leaving Boulevard,'' said Caisey in a Letter to the Sports Editor (see Page 21). "I'll say this -- North Village was the first club I played for before I left as a Bantam.

"I had always thought to return. Right now, to me, is the best time to do it -- I'm getting ready to end my soccer career.'' Boulevard rose to prominence with the signing of Andrew Bascome as coach for the 1990-91 season and the addition of his brother David who won the MVP award.

The club tasted unprecedented success in the league and defeated cup giants PHC Zebras after a replay in the FA Cup final.

Last season was not as profitable, as new signing Kenny Hill took a while to settle into his goal-scoring role after David left to join Harrisburg Heat of the National Professional (indoor) Soccer League. But they nevertheless won the Dudley Eve Trophy over Somerset Trojans and were in the league race until the end before settling for second behind PHC.

Caisey played an integral part in the team's success and his linking with captain Albert Smith and Dwight Warren on the left side will be the most obvious thing that the Boulevard faithful will miss in the upcoming season.

"When people get angry because you've changed your team, you know that they take the game too serious and personal,'' added Caisey, a devout Christian.

"We must learn to `free up', relax and enjoy what is before us instead of making everything a competition to win or a battle to see who is best.'' At Village, Caisey will join national squad team-mates Dwayne Adams, Kevin Grant, Elliott Jennings and Phillip Clarke, who signed from Devonshire Cougars.

Caisey refutes claims that brother Clinton's lack of playing time under Andrew Bascome had anything to do with the family upheaval. "Clinton didn't play under Dago (former coach Cyril Steede) either, so that wasn't it, and Taur is very young and has a promising career,'' Albert said. "We are very close and we do most things as a family. If Clinton wants to play regularly at Village he will have to work very hard.'' Caisey believes that Bascome was the final piece of the puzzle needed to turn Boulevard into a championship side, but his relationship with the former international was strained after the incident at Somerset Cricket Club early last season when the coach walked off the field after his brother David was sent off. Boulevard played the remainder of the game with nine men and went on to lose 2-1.

Andrew announced he was retiring shortly after the match but returned in time to lead the Blazers' Dudley Eve Trophy chase by year's end.

"I never really accepted him after that,'' Caisey said. "He ran away from Boulevard after that incident and I didn't appreciate it.

"However, he was great for Boulevard as a coach. The training was great and we were always ready on the tactical side. There is a lot of information at Boulevard now because of Andrew and it is up to Wire (manager Mitchell Allers) and Rockers (assistant coach Gary Mallory) or whoever is going to take over to see that it is used.'' The fateful night of February 4 continues to linger in Caisey's mind -- if for no other reason than the fact that he would have three more caps to his credit had he not lost his cool.

A stunned National Stadium crowd watched Caisey repeatedly lash out at Johnsen after the two became tangled while chasing a loose ball.

"Not only did people wonder what was going on, but I wondered as well,'' explained Caisey in his letter. "The public were, and maybe still are, puzzled at the way I acted, being the Christian I am.

"Well, I am writing this letter to apologise for the way I reacted so that I would not be a stumbling block to anyone. I was wrong to retaliate. Forgive me, I know God has.'' Caisey received a one-match international ban for the incident, then to make matters worse, the player was forced to sit out during the two-match Jamaica tour because of a late scheduling change, which resulted in only one friendly international being played instead of two -- and the international was scheduled second.

Dandy Town captain Voorhees Astwood, regularly a midfielder, has filled in admirably at left-back and impressed manager Gary Darrell so that he retained that spot for the World Cup tie against Haiti.

"I don't think I'm the number one choice left-back anymore, but I can wait my turn,'' said Caisey. "In the meantime, I'll continue to be the spiritual guidance for the team.'' SPEAKING OUT -- Albert Caisey.*l