star-studded tournament on the Island next year, if plans to stage a World Soccer Classic come to fruition.

A British sports promotion company has drawn up plans for the tournament, with a target date of May, 2001, and has approached the Bermuda Department of Tourism with their ideas, it was revealed yesterday.

The proposals from Lynam and Creasey Sponsorship were discussed by company representatives and Bermuda tourism officials at a meeting in London 12 days ago.

If the event does go ahead, it is highly likely it would be run along similar lines to Bermuda's World Rugby Classic -- an annual, week-long tournament for over-35s which has consistently attracted top ex-international players.

A spokesman for the Lynam and Creasey yesterday confirmed the company wanted to stage a World Soccer Classic in Bermuda and had submitted proposals to the Deparment of Tourism.

He declined to comment further on the details, as his colleague Paul Livingstone, the man behind the idea, was unavailable.

Sherie Whitter, of the Department of Tourism, said yesterday: "We can confirm that the UK company Lynam and Creasey has submitted a proposal for a World Soccer Classic.

"We most recently met with representatives of the company on November 16 in London to further review their proposal. We are now awaiting revised proposals from the company.

"This company has also talked to Bermuda Football Association and the BFA have expressed their interest to this department in writing.'' BFA president Neville Tyrrell said he was aware of the plans but did not wish to comment further at this time.

The World Rugby Classic has been running continuously since 1988 and has become a fixture on the Bermuda sporting calendar.

The 13th Classic, staged earlier this month, was again successful, attracting thousands of spectators.

With soccer's popularity greater than rugby's on both a domestic and a global level, a World Soccer Classic in Bermuda should have even greater drawing power to attract home fans and those from abroad.