Talk to Neville Tyrrell about his recent jaunt to Jamaica and you get the impression he would like to see Bermuda emulate much of what the Caribbean nation is doing to promote soccer -- although he won't openly admit it.

Jamaica's success in recent years, all the more astounding for a poor country of more than two million people, can be measured by their appearance in the World Cup last year.

But they continue to push forward, having just last week unveiled a seven-storey office complex in Kingston during a festive ceremony that featured celebrities from all over the world, including president of FIFA, Sepp Blatter.

The complex will house all of Jamaica's soccer needs from an administrative level to coaching, with five floors already occupied.

Like many of those who attended, Bermuda Football Association president Tyrrell, who was among the heads of CONCACAF nations invited, left the country envious of the progress Jamaica continues to make in soccer both on and off the field.

But the big question remains: Why has a nation like Jamaica with its chronic social and financial problems accomplished so much while a more prosperous island like Bermuda fails to come close to generating similar support? Tyrrell, showing signs of frustration when responding, said: "I put it down to one thing, they believe that football is an investment and not an expense ... and I think from that outlook that's where they are heading. They see it as an investment for the future, for the country and not just football itself.

"When I am asked how can a nation with so much poverty do what they are achieving and we can't I feel that it's because the emphasis is totally different. We in Bermuda have not reached the level of support in any shape or form that Jamaica has managed to acquire.

"Jamaica has always been a sports-rich country, always produced world beaters whether in cricket or track .. . and more importantly they have got the backing of the government who have put money where their mouth is in terms of supporting their federation.'' During the festivities and on his way back home Tyrrell admitted that he often wondered why Bermuda couldn't accomplish just a portion of the success that Jamaica was achieving at various levels, whether on the field of play, coaching or administratively.

"I would not have been human if I didn't have those thoughts because every one of the presidents from the area was certainly looking to emulate the exercise that Jamaica have gone on ... it's not something that can happen overnight which we in Bermuda tend to think -- things happen over a long period.

"Take my presidency, it was my desire by the fourth year of my term that we would have made an impact again in the Caribbean Football Union region and I believe that the recent results in the competition held here showed that our football in the international arena is being recognised.'' But Tyrrell was quick to point out that Jamaica also benefited financially from making the finals of the World Cup, money that perhaps helped them to purchase their own building.

And he noted that the government and sponsors continued to climb aboard the national programme train.

While he would not be drawn on why a poor country like Jamaica could find funds to support a soccer programme when a more prosperous national like Bermuda failed to respond with similar enthusiasm, Tyrrell attempted to explain.

"The entire country of Jamaica is nothing but crazy about the Reggae Boyz, and it's showing in the standard that they are playing. They have not lost at home in three or four years and they also have a proud record abroad.

"Five years ago they initiated a programme but the difference is that theirs has caught on with government ... government has fully backed the JFF, Corporate Jamaica has done so and they are in such a comfortable position right now that they categorise their sponsorship into gold and bronze and you actually have to apply to become a sponsor ... that's how successful they have been,'' he said.

Going into what could be the end of his final term as head of the BFA, Tyrrell would like to see better fan support at a national level.

"I would like to see the Bermuda population come out and support the national team. I believe if we can get the support back at club level this will trickle up.

"I think Bermuda is missing a golden opportunity to watch our national team play at a very high standard. They are playing better now and I believe that if the fans come out and watch, if we can get the exempt and local companies behind us along with government, our national programme will have a chance to prosper.'' Neville Tyrrell: recently returned from the unveiling of Jamaica's new soccer headquarters.