final Kyle Lightbourne also heads the short list of candidates for this year's Most Valuable Player award.

The Zebras are well represented with three members appearing among the six finalists, which were selected by a six-man panel yesterday.

From an initial list of 16, which also included the likes of Dandy Town captain, Voorhees Astwood, Devonshire Cougars' Phillip Clarke and Shawn Smith, Dean Boyles of Boulevard and North Village's Dwayne Adams the panel was able to cut that figure down to six.

In addition to Lightbourne the others are defender Mike Dill and forward Sammy Swan (both PHC), Neil Robinson (Boulevard), Andre Hendrickson (Devonshire Colts) and Elliott Jennings (North Village).

Last year's Young Player of the Year Adams faces a stiff battle for the award this time around with Friendship Trophy hero Janeiro Tucker of Southampton Rangers and promising full-back Keenan Burchall of Devonshire Colts expected to mount a serious challenge.

After scoring 32 goals so far this season Lightbourne appears set to walk away with his second MVP award. He previously won it in 1990 when he also led the league in scoring and the Zebras likewise finished as league champions.

Team-mates Mike Dill and Sammy Swan may offer a token threat to the Bermuda national team striker's chances but this would seem highly unlikely, although both have had outstanding seasons in their own right. Dill has marshalled his defence beautifully all season long and striking partner Swan is the man responsible for setting up the most of Lightbourne's goals.

The remaining players -- Jennings, Robinson and Hendrickson -- have all played vital roles for their respective clubs warranting their inclusion in the selection process.

Jennings, recently recalled to the national squad, has shown that he is not yet ready to ride off into the sunset. His leadership qualities and dogged determination have contributed mightily to his club's performances, especially with them in the rebuilding process with several inexperienced players.

Delicate ball skills and blazing speed are an integral part of Robinson's game. His versatility only adds more to an already well-seasoned pot, which first started simmering during his formative years at North Village.

Robinson comes off his best season thus far in the First Division having played consistently well for his club and was a member of the Bermuda team that played against Norway in Febuary.

Following a 1990-91 campaign with Warwick United that saw him made into a firing target by the opposition each week, Andre Hendrickson has shown himself to be a 'keeper `par excellence' as a member of his new club Devonshire Colts.

One can only wonder why he is constantly overlooked for a Bermuda place. The Bermuda Football Association's prize presentation, the date of which to be announced.

This year's panelists are soccer writers Lawrence Trott, Colin Zuill, Andre Dill and Patrick Bean of The Royal Gazette , Chris Gibbons of the Mid-Ocean News and national team manager Gary Darrell.

KYLE LIGHTBOURNE.