trying to live up to the high standard set for the club by the cricketers.

And even though last season's top scorer Clay Smith will be committing to cricket over the next few months, and captain Earl Basden is doubtful for the season because of a mystery illness, coach Gregory (Brutus) Foggo is confident his promising young team will be in the running for a piece of silverware.

The cricket team has picked up a host of trophies in the last few years, leaving the soccer players with only a Friendship Trophy final appearance in 1986-87 to boast about, though they have won the Second Division Shield on three occasions in since the late 1970s.

Last year they surprised many pundits by surviving in their first season back in the First Division and now they are looking to build on that.

"I feel confident we're going to be in the running,'' said Foggo. "We'll be one of the teams to watch out for.'' Last year St. George's inflicted defeats on the top two teams, Somerset and Devonshire Colts (twice), as they settled for a seventh-place finish. Now they are aiming to go one better and qualify for the first time for the Martonmere Cup.

"Last year we had the third best defence behind North Village and Boulevard,'' Foggo said proudly.

Much of that had to do with the goalkeeping of Troy Hall and the defensive play of the likes of Basden, Phillip Bailey and Andre Todd.

Hall played in every game last season and is arguably the most under-rated 'keeper in the league. "National team material,'' said his coach bluntly.

This year the eagerly-awaited return of Neil Paynter will provide new enthusiasm in the team as he lends his national team experience to the defence alongside Bailey in the middle. "If we still had Earl we could even push Neil into midfield,'' said Foggo.

The Greaves brothers Franklyn and Carlos have also returned home while Stevie Dickinson, of now defunct Hotels, has also expressed interest in rejoining his old club.

But it is the youngsters who Foggo, assisted again in the coaching by Herbie Bascome, is excited about. They include midfielder Kuma Smith, full-back Dean Bailey, Donald Whitfield from North Village and utility player Sinclair Gibbons, who has returned after a stint with Hamilton Parish.

The man to replace Basden as captain is still to be decided on, with the nod likely to go to either solid midfielder Jan Cieters, Hall or even Paynter.

Scoring goals last season was a problem until Clay Smith returned from school in the new year and duly ended the drought by scoring three times in a 4-2 win over Somerset.

His absence because of cricket means that Greg Foggo, William (Apples) Richardson, both doubtful for the opening match because of recent bike accidents, Carlos Greaves and midfielder Marlon Outerbridge will be looked to for the bulk of the goals.

"I think it's unjust that if these cricketers make a commitment to train for cricket that they can't play football,'' said Foggo.

Dean Minors will also be missing for that same reason though he may have been reluctant to put too much of a demand on a knee that is still recovering from surgery.

"If Carlos (Greaves) can have a season like he did the last time he was playing striker for us, then you can count on some goals from him,'' the coach added.

1992-93 accomplishments: Seventh in league Notable transfers In -- Neil Paynter, Sinclair Gibbons, Carlos Greaves, Franklyn Greaves, Donald Whitfield, Kuma Smith, Dean Bailey Out -- Delbert Minors.