disbanded Hotels, Vasco will kick of their soccer season tomorrow night full of confidence against Boulevard in the Charity Cup at BAA Field.

Despite being on the receiving end of quality players through transfers, coach John Rebello feels that Vasco will be in for a rude awakening if they take any team for granted this season.

"While we are going into season with the same optimism of a year ago, I still believe that it's going to be a lot harder for the squad this season mainly because we are the champions and a lot of teams will be coming at us harder,'' he said.

"But in the meantime we have to prove that we were just not a flash in the pan. Squad wise we are probably at the same strength, the players we picked up actually come in to replace those we lost such as Paul Towlson, Steven Mendes, Sammy Swan and others.'' Among the key additions are defenders Clifford Roberts and Diallo Sharrieff from Hotels, midfielder Tafari Outerbridge from Boulevard and forward Dennis Robinson from Hotels.

The unknown seems to await Boulevard and their fans, especially after the departures of midfielders Leonard Hypolite, Neil Robinson and Outerbridge, forwards Rodney Bascome and Kenny Hill and centre-back Donnie Charles.

The scheduled women's Charity Cup clash beteween Rude Girls and Wolves, scheduled to precede the men's game at 7p.m., has been cancelled.

Meanwhile the BFA have announced that former Commercial League side Ireland Rangers have been officially promoted to the Second Division -- moving up to take over the place after Somerset Trojans were reinstated to the First Division following the withdrawal of Hotels.

Rangers were the only team that applied to an invitation extended to Commercial League teams, their application fitting all of the criteria that the BFA sought.

But the BFA's biggest concern going into the season remains finding a cure for the acute shortage of referees.

Just 12 turned out for a recent meeting, including one new prospect, and another strong recruitment drive is on the cards.