a group of Under-17 national squad members that they were misled by the association.

The player's criticism, made via the media over the weekend, was based on the fact that coach Kenny Thompson would no longer be in charge of the Under-17s, having been reassigned to the Under-15s during the recent BFA shuffle.

A press statement from players Jason Williams, Dion Stovell, Calvin Augustus, JacQui Simons, Damon Swan and Domico Coddington insisted that the team had been "led to believe'' they and Thompson would stick together following the recent successful Youth World Cup campaign.

Clearly upset by the players' decision to approach the media rather than the BFA from the outset, Tyrrell said there had never been any indication from the BFA that any of their coaches would remain with one squad.

"As far as coach Thompson is concerned, it so happens that the Under-17 commitment is finished and those players will normally and naturally filter through to the Under-19s team. And we hope they will carry through with the training and objectives that they have received under Mr. Thompson,'' said Tyrrell.

"I don't feel that it lessens their development any if they go on under other coaches, I certainly don't believe that. In fact, I don't think they have a legitimate gripe at all. It's a fact of life. I would like to know that I could stick with one thing during my entire life but as adults we know that it doesn't help or work that way.

"I certainly feel that the programme that we have will still benefit these young men and I hope they will stick with it and pass on the knowledge they will gain to others.'' Jon Beard, chairman of the Development and Coaching Committee, said on the weekend that the players needed to take "lessons learned to the next level'' and thought the players and some parents were "meddling in the issues of coaching appointments'' by taking their stance.

Beard strongly denied that there was ever a suggestion from the BFA that the players and coaches would be allowed to stay together.

Tyrrell agreed with Beard's response and noted that it was simply a normal procedure for coaching appointments to be updated at various times of the season, including after major tournaments such as that recently completed by the Under-17s.

"It's a very simple matter, we have established a development programme which is in place and we only just recently put staff coaches in place for all level of competitions,'' added Tyrrell.

"The players have to recognise that once a tournament is concluded or a term of a coach is ended then things change, there are normal changes that take place and this is what has happened.

"I don't think it's a Bermudian fashion to go to the press first and it does not sit well with the BFA, but we will continue to work with these players.

They made us all proud during the recent tournament and I was impressed with their level of commitment and skill.

"I think they gave us an indication where we stand at an international level in the Under-17 division and I look forward to their support and involvement in our programmes. Their overall performance is bound to be an inspiration to our programme.'' The president felt that the response from the public had been unprecedented and hoped that the national pride that was expressed would go a long way to re-establishing interest in international soccer whenever Bermuda was involved.

"The response by the public bode well for the support of soccer in the Island and I would only hope that they will continue to support us and the players at various levels in all forthcoming ventures like the one just staged at the National Stadium,'' he said.

Neville Tyrrell: Players' complaint `not legitimate'.