back home to join the squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifying games is not going to be an easy task.

However, the BFA president expressed confidence that he could secure the services of both the professional players and the overseas college students for the home and away series, with a little co-operation from the clubs and schools involved.

"We've done it before and it's worked out quite fine, but this time is different as it means having them away from their clubs and schools for an extended period,'' said Marshall.

He was quick to point out that in the cases of the professional players in England, FIFA rules allow them to be released from the clubs. But the fact that the players will now be required for a longer period and not just one game could make it a little more difficult.

Bermuda are scheduled to play their first two games at National Stadium in October. They take on El Salvador on October 18 and then Jamaica on October 25. Then they go on an extended away trip to play El Salvador, Jamaica and Canada over a two-week period, starting in San Salvador on November 1.

The last encounter is against Canada but not until December 6, which will require bringing home the players once again for the clash at National Stadium.

Marshall said that the coaching and tours committee had experience in dealing with the various clubs and schools and he was confident that a happy resolution would be reached as a result of the negotiations.

"It's not going to be a simple task at all,'' he said, hinting that in all probability the national team manager Gary Darrell would require the players to return even before the specified dates so that they could get in some vital team sessions with the full squad.

In the case of those based in England, the interruption may cause conflict with their schedule while it remains to be seen whether the college students will available at all.

Negotiations will involve bringing four players back from England, skipper Meschach Wade and Kentoine Jennings (Hereford United), Shawn Goater (Rotherham) and Kyle Lightbourne (Scarborough).

One thing the BFA have already budgeted for is the cost of bringing the players home and other monetary losses they may incur as a result of their absence from the professional game. That expense is already included in the BFA's budget of $209,000 for the six-game series .

Creative Associates' planned charter flight to Jamaica to see the Bermuda national soccer team in action on November 8 has prompted a great deal of interest.

Over 100 people have already contacted the organisers and the outlook appears quite promising.

Initial plans have the flight departing Bermuda on Saturday, November 7 and returning Wednesday, November 11.

"We're very confident this time that it will come off,'' said organiser William Madeiros. "Last time it would have gone but it was just too short a time span.'' Madeiros, along with partners Larry Mussenden and David Burch, attempted to arrange a similar tour to Antigua in June of this year but was unable to attract enough passengers to make the trip feasible. However, unlike then, when only had a matter of days were available to secure bookings, the current World Cup draw has given them over two months to arouse public interest.

Said Madeiros: "We just want to get people down to watch the national team play. Many local people have been there and simply like the idea of going to Jamaica period.

"I think we're as satisfied as anybody with the draw as it was our expressed wish to do this on a weekend for the sake of people's jobs.

"We're not doing this for the cash,'' said Madeiros. "All we want to do is get this thing off the ground and not lose our shirts. It's really just a fun thing, rather than a money-making business venture.'' SHWAN GOATER -- World Cup games will clash with English club commitments.