(BFA) by the slenderest of margins last night, defeating challenger and perceived favourite Mark Trott.

In the end, presiding officer Eugene Blakeney was called on to make the final decision after voting from the affiliates and executive members Aldwyn Savery (first vice-president) and Delroy O'Brien (treasurer) left the tally at an even split of 12-12.

Blakeney cast the deciding ballot in favour of Tyrrell, giving the incumbent four more years at the helm of local soccer.

However, Trott was awarded something of a consolation prize as he was sworn in as second vice-president, ousting the long serving and well known behind the scenes workhorse Elroy Ratteray.

Tyrrell later spoke in humble terms of his triumph.

"As I told the affiliates inside, not only am I honoured, I'm humbled. I'm humbled to think the challenge has been given to me again to lead the Football Association,'' said Tyrrell, who first took over from Richard Thompson back in 1996.

"A lot of people don't fully appreciate the effort that the Bermuda Football Association carries out in its development of football in this country.

"It's a heavy task. Something that I believe in. Something that I know that I can improve, but as I said, right now I'm more humbled than anything else. I feel good about it, yes, but obviously it was in the hands of the affiliates and that's where it should be done.'' As for his relatively low key election run-up, Tyrrell noted his determination to stay away from mudslinging and singing of self-praise merely for the sake of gaining a second term.

"Let me say, those who know Neville Tyrrell know that he keeps his cards close to his chest. I had an air of confidence, yes.

"But one of the things that I'm usually accused of is being arrogant. And I guess if I had shown an overall exuberance of confidence people would have felt it was arrogance.

"I had done some homework. I had been doing my homework since last year June, when I made the decision that I was going to put my name forward to be president of the Association. So, it's not something I just came up with overnight and thought about. I've given well over 12 months thinking and thought to whether I should do it.

"And in that period I discussed with some very key people in the affiliates as to what I should do and there was an abundance of support, which certainly told me I have a bit of a mandate to carry on.'' Yet the overriding question, at least among the television and print media in attendance, was whether Tyrrell and Trott could coexist on the same executive.

Tyrrell, for one, stated his ability to govern no matter that someone who tried to usurp his power stood alongside, for it was football -- not Neville Tyrrell -- that mattered most.

"Let me say that the word is yes! I can certainly work with anyone who wants to work with me for the betterment of football.

"Football has got to be the winner in this...not Neville Tyrrell, not Mark Trott, or anyone else... it's football.

"If Mr. Trott and I have football interests, of course we can work together.'' Meanwhile, Trott was brief in his comments, saying only that "The democratic process has taken place.'' As for the ousted Ratteray, he was gracious in defeat, yet believed he still had a part to play under the new administration.

"No doubt I'm kind of sad that I didn't come in for another term because I really wanted to under the leadership of Mr. Tyrrell.

"But, like I said to the affiliates, it's been over 30 years now and I really appreciate the opportunity to serve Bermuda and to serve football in general.

"I'm sure the president of the BFA has a lot of work for me to do still. I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch, but I still think the president will appoint me to something. He knows that I still have a lot to do in football.'' Four more years: An anxious looking Neville Tyrrell arrives for last night's BFA annual general meeting where he was returned as president.