Vasco yesterday withdrew from the Premier Division, just over a year after winning the title.

BFA general secretary David Sabir confirmed he had received a letter from the club yesterday afternoon -- registration deadline day -- stating that they would not be competing in the league in the coming season.

The Portuguese club's withdrawal after more than a quarter of a century in the top two divisions could provide a lifeline for Southampton Rangers, who may be allowed by Bermuda Football Association to keep their place in the top flight after all.

A last-day defeat by Somerset Trojans condemned Rangers to third-from-bottom spot and relegation, as the top division was reduced to eight teams for the coming season.

Sabir said the Rangers situation would be discussed soon.

"The Competitions Committee is in the process of drafting a schedule for the new season and this issue will need to be addressed soon,'' said Sabir.

Vasco president George Ambrosio said club officials were due to meet last night to discuss the future.

Ambrosio cited the absence of someone to take over from John Rebello as coach as the main reason for the demise of the club who won their second successive league championship in 1998-99.

Had they tried to stay in the league, Vasco would have been at the mercy of the BFA, as they have less than the minimum allowed 18 players on their books to register as a Premier or First Division club.

At least 11 of the players who made up Vasco's small squad of last season have already signed for other clubs, including top names like goalkeeper Timmy Figureido and striker Dwight Basden, who have both joined Somerset Trojans.

"We gave them releases just in case we didn't survive,'' said Ambrosio. "I didn't want to see them stuck without a club. I'd hate to do that to a player.'' A similar player exodus before last season put Vasco's future in doubt, but the BFA extended the transfer deadline to allow them to sign more players and survive.

On that occasion Rebello had a change of heart after earlier announcing his intention to quit as coach and his decision to stay on for last season played a major part in the rescue of the club.

"I have been trying to get in touch with John Rebello,'' added Ambrosio. "I can't talk for him.'' Ambrosio explained that no-one seemed to want to take over the reins.

"We have a lot of helpers at the club, but nobody wants the responsibility of taking charge of the team,'' said Ambrosio.

"Nobody wants to be number one. I want to do all I can to take care of the club, but I can't do everything myself.'' For Ambrosio, a former Vasco player who helped the club earn promotion from the Second Division and then helped them win the title, it was a sad day. "It is painful for me,'' he said.

It was only two years ago that Vasco enjoyed the most successful season in their history, as they took the triple crown of league title, Friendship and FA Cup.

The phenomenal success of that 1997-98 season was capped by the award of the Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour to coach Rebello for his services to soccer.

John Rebello: nobody willing to fill his role as club coach.