A recently formed soccer league for senior players has come under fire for not doing more to help develop younger players.

A group of people have approached The Royal Gazette accusing the over-40 members of the Senior Soccer League of trying to turn the clock back and inflating their own egos.

One, who asked not to be named, said: "What are these people trying to prove? Who wants to see has-beens trying to do something that they can no longer do well and why are they putting their bodies at risk? "If they want to help soccer they can come out and support their children and grandchildren.'' "If they want to get involved in helping out I think they should join a club and help out at that level. They would find out that they can do a lot there to help in the various junior and senior programmes,'' said Boulevard vice president Albert Richardson, adding he hoped to coming across as constructive.

"Or they can simply help in general by doing so many other things that can help the clubs function properly. They have the experience to benefit clubs since they are ex-players.'' He also suggested they should get involved with officiating.

"The Bermuda Referees Association have been calling on people to come forward to help as officials, specifically as linesmen, during the shortage of officials and I firmly believe that this is where these ex-players would be more of an asset to soccer.'' The league's organiser, David Burch, has claimed he has met opposition from clubs and accused Bermuda Football Association of not "fully embracing'' the idea.

But vice president Aldwyn Savery said that by giving it sanction the BFA was supporting the league. And he questioned why others felt that these ex-players shouldn't play competitively if they wished. "You can't blame them for going out and having a bit of fun by trying to show how good they once were. But in all honesty, I would love to see them get more involved and help their respective clubs as well,'' he said.