upgrading their facilities.

Government's failure to do so has forced clubs to concentrate on selling large quantities of alcohol to compensate for the shortage of cash -- something Marshall feels is sending out the wrong message.

"Government has got to start putting funds aside for this purpose, the upgrading of all of our sporting facilities is a necessity,'' said Marshall.

"It's absolutely ludicrous to have a country that is prepared to tolerate it when the biggest income of cash for these organisations is the sale of alcohol and then we spend millions to rehabilitate them after they become alcoholics.

To spend millions to put them into prison and then millions again to get them back into our facilities doesn't make sense.'' He added that a club shouldn't have to sell "hard core'' liquor during matches and referred to many other countries that have taken positives steps by selling less alcohol during matches and in some cases banning the sale of strong alcohol altogether.

The situation is serious enough that Marshall has forwarded his frustrations have been forwarded to the premier, Sir John Swan.

"We've had discussions about this with the premier and he has promised that government would rethink their situation and put up some funds to assist these clubs,'' said Marshall.

He said it was also important to halt the abuse of drugs as well.

The BFA's document on drugs was presented to the affiliates some time ago and the association have been waiting for feedback.

Marshall last week called on the club affiliates, players and community at large to support Technical Director of Coaching Burkhard Ziese, who has been criticised recently.

Marshall stressed how there was much to be done to help Ziese and the BFA to set soccer on the right foot as the sport races toward the 21st Century.

Marshall again reiterated how it was vital for everyone to rally behind whatever progressive steps were being undertaken by Ziese and the BFA, steps that would require both "adjustment and commitments from everyone associated with the sport.'' But he wasn't just calling for more financial help from government.

Help, understanding and support was needed from everyone in Bermuda.

He was angered by the low turnout during the recent tour by the United States B team when just 750 fans paid to watch the team play a Bermuda Select, despite the fact Shawn Goater and Kyle Lightbourne were brought here from their professional teams in England.

"I was extremely disappointed in the lack of support that the people of Bermuda showed,'' he said.

However, he was even more upset when non-paying fans on the hillside at the northern boundary actually cut holes in the fence and entered the ground with their dogs.

"Some actually came deliberately with their cutters and when they were stopped they brought their dogs in and assaulted the security that was there with dogs,'' said Marshall.

He also felt that this was clearly a sign that government needs to continue plans to complete the stadium and make it more secure and safe for the public.

What also rankles him is the paucity of qualified people to run sporting organisations.

"We need a better quality people that have commitment, talent and ability to run things. You look at people who are running (tennis, swimming and golf), they are business people,'' said the president.

"When I meet with corporate Bermuda I just don't say that we want their money, I tell them that we want their expertise, their accountants, secretaries and their administrators. It's important to get decent people who can make a commitment so that association football can be run efficiently...money is not everything.'' Marshall said he often wonders why these people are not on the clubs. Too often, he said, players come up through the clubs, but after getting further education abroad will not return to give their clubs any help in the administrative area.

"Too often these young, qualified people who have had help from their clubs just do not come back to give their assistance. It's sad because they have become qualified professionals and their new ideas would be of great help to these organisations. With them not becoming involved the organisations consequently are the ones to suffer,'' he said.