the Bermuda Football Association's Six-Year International Plan thumbs up -- even though there was no immediate rush to hand over any cheques to the governing body of Island soccer.

But there was a clear sign that support in the form of sponsorship will be received in the near future to enable the BFA to put their plan to work.

Representatives of the 25 business groups appeared to come away impressed with Monday night's presentation at Government House.

While admitting that the estimated $4 million pricetag the BFA has put on its programmes appeared steep, many pointed out that when broken down over a six year period, it was attainable.

The BFA's declaration that a Board of Trustees will be formed to that to ensure some form of "accountability'' of funding was also deemed important to potential sponsors.

This, combined with assurances from the BFA that steps are ongoing to ensure that soccer will be a drug free sport, seemed to go a long way in convincing them that faith could be restored completely in the administration of soccer in Bermuda.

Here's a sampling of what they said: Harry Smith, Bank of Bermuda "We have worked very closely with the BFA for the last couple of years and I personally have found the people I am now working with to be very polished, it's a group I respect quite a bit. I am glad to see that they are putting things together, delighted to see them ensuring that it will be a drug free sport which is important.

"I hope the others here will share similar views. I think the emphasis on behaviour on the pitch is critical because that's what you want to see. But I think it's a great cause, one that is important to our youth.

"$4 million is a lot of money, but the only way it's going to work is if a lot of different organisations and people get involved in supporting them.'' Harry Wilkin, Jardine Matheson "Jardines was keen to sponsor the youth tournament last year. Our main theme is to sponsor education and I see this as being part of education so we will be keen to continue what we did last year.

"There was obviously a lot of work done on this programme and it was well planned. I saw last year's presentaiton which was just on the youth tournament; obviously a lot of more work has been put into this one, this being big-time money. They have taken the right approach. They have got to convince people that it's under control and that they have good ideas.'' David Lang, Bank of Bermuda "Larry Mussenden, David Sabir, Neville Tyrrell and Jon Beard have obviously spent a lot of time putting it together, and I admire them. They are on an uphill course and the Bank of Bermuda has been with them for a long time and we hope to stay with them.

"They have an uphill struggle to convince the Bermuda corporate public that they are well-managed, efficient and going to do great things (but) I am sure that they will.

"$4 million sounds like a lot but you must remember that they pointed out that there would be gate receipts and other income sources that they would have. But the Bermuda community as a whole, not just the corporate community, is incredibly generous and I am sure that as a community we will pull together, get behind football again and turn this sport around.

"If they put their structured plan in place and stick to it everything will be fine.'' Allan Peacock, Colonial Insurance "It was good to see that a long-term plan has been developed with revenues attached to it so people can get an idea of just how much is involved in the planning of football for the future here in the Island.

"$4 million does seem like a lot when you hear it but I hope the business people will divide that amount by six and take into account all of the revenues coming into football as the plan develops.

Proposal praised "I am certain that most will react positively to this presentation. We are very hopeful that funds are going to be raised over the next few months to get the international programmes ticking and moving again.'' Bruce Barritt, John F.Barritt "It was a very professional presentation, Larry Mussenden and John Beard did a similar proposal last year for the Youth International Tournament, so it helps as a potential sponsor to know that the people who are there at the helm are on the ball. It makes a big difference that they have done their homework, they know what everything is all about and expecially when they say financial accountability. It's very good that the BFA is that forward thinking that they want to set it up that hopefully these large sums of money coming will be go to the right thing, that it will not be disappearing into a big pot.

"The whole thing looks wonderful to me, the only thing I would ask if someone from government will give serious thought of using this as a springboard for a national lottery.''