Marshall, has pledged financial support to the sport over the next six years in the area closest to his heart....refereeing.

Through his business, Telecom (Bermuda and West Indies) Ltd, Marshall will donate $10,000 a year for the upgrading of referees. Marshall, a former FIFA listed official, also held the top post in the Bermuda Referees Association, and has answered the BFA's call for financial support from the business sector.

He realises the importance in upgrading the standard of refereeing and has decided to provide funding in that area. Yesterday thet first installment was made to BFA president Neville Tyrrell, with Stuart Crockwell, president of the Bermuda Referees Association, also in attendance.

"As we know two years ago the Bermuda Football Association approached the business community, both locally and internationally, and asked them to come aboard on their six-year development programme,'' said Marshall.

"At that time I did indicate to the president that the company I work for, and own, Telecom (Bermuda and West Indies) Ltd would be interested in assisting some time in the future.

"We find ourselves now where we can make a commitment for the next six years at $10,000 a year for the development of referees in this community. We feel it is very important, in conjunction with the Former referee gives officials big cash boost development of players, that we also spend time and money for the development and upward mobility of our referees.

"Without them the game will not succeed, no matter at what level the players are.'' Marshall served for two years as president of the BFA and is now an Honourary Vice President of the association. He is a former long serving referee.

The money will be used for such things as assessors and to fund courses for referees both locally and overseas.

"I'm very proud -- obviously a bit biased, being a past referee myself -- to be in this position to make this commitment to football,'' said Marshall.

"I would encourage other local companies, in particular, to have a serious look at their involvement in association football and sports in general.

"When the offer was first made, the association was asking for $4.021m over a six-year period and when you do the math to all that, taking in consideration what football does for the community, it is not that much money over six years.'' Marshall acknowledged that the recent spate of violence at matches does not help the process of attracting new sponsors.

"I know there have been negatives in football recently, but surely it's the big picture we have to look at -- and that's what I look at,'' said the former president.

"On that particular day there were about 7,000 or 8,000 people out there enjoying football at one level or another, but we only hear about the half dozen who were being a bit of a pain.

"I certainly will support, not just support in financial terms, the referees.

And I have personally pledged to the president that I will personally assist any way I can with the knowledge I've had over the years.'' Said president Tyrrell in response: "It has happened at a time when we needed this positive boost. You have also indicated that you are willing to come back on board in some shape or form and that pleases us to no end.

"What happens a lot in sport, not only football, is that when officials and athletes have hung up their boots they feel that is the end of their career.

"What we require in this country is to use every person who has past experience. Mr Marshall was one of our top officials, not just locally but overseas as well.'' Top referee Crockwell has just returned from El Salvador where he officiated, with some distinction, at the Under 17 World Cup qualifiers in the Concacaf Region. He was the referee for the El Salvador-Canada match which the host country won 2-0 and was fourth official in two other games.

"The message of having qualified assessors was hammered home,'' said Crockwell of the experience. "They have promised to try to get me to more tournaments overseas.

"It's most important that we continue to develop our officials. It's not enough to give them one course per season and to say they are ready to go out there and referee the game of soccer.'' Crockwell refers to Marshall as one of his mentors. "We sit down many times and talk about the ins and outs of refereeing and I've gotten advice from him,'' said Crockwell.

"Now I know he's available to all the referees in the association to get advice from.'' Officials support: Charlie Marshall (right) presents the first cheque to BFA president Neville Tyrrell.