$41,000-a-year Administrative Assistant post lost by Joe Brown.

Forty applications have been received and the association is already holding interviews in hope of having the position filled as soon as possible.

"We are very pleased with the reception we have had from those interested in the position and we are hopeful that we will be able to come up with a very capable individual from the overwhelming number of people who responded,'' said president Charlie Marshall yesterday.

The position became available on January 19 after the 56-year-old Mr. Brown was sacked.

Brown, who was determined to fight his dismissal, took the necessary legal steps to put the matter before the court. The BFA responded by offering him an out-of-court settlement which was turned down and the matter to date appears to be be far from being over.

Marshall was pleased that the two positions which the association has advertised -- the other being a Director of Coaching -- have both attracted a good response. The post of Director of Coaching has been advertised in the FIFA News and the cut-off date is at the end of this month.

Marshall was unable to confirm the number of people who have applied but did say that "there were a number of overseas people who have applied so far.'' Although the soccer season has just ended the work load at the office of the BFA remains heavy at this time and for this reason Marshall is keen to have the position of Administrative Assistant filled quickly.

Originally he has hoped that somebody would have been appointed by the middle of next month but yesterday he explained that it now depended on what time of notice the individual was committed to give his present employers before quitting.

"I know the new person would have to give his present employers a realistic notice, so his starting date would depend on that. But we would like to have him on board as quickly as possible so that the office staff can prepare for the next season,'' said the president.

But it is also clear that the association intends to concentrate on having the Director of Coaching appointed early this summer so that he can be involved in preparing a programme for the start of the school year in September.

"It must be remembered that he is not just coming here to assist the BFA, his employment will tie in with the education department as well,'' said Marshall.

"So it is important that we have him here and ready to be involved by September.'' Plans by professional soccer players David Bascome and Shawn Goater to hold soccer clinics during the summer were yesterday praised by Marshall who said that the BFA were supportive of the endeavours of the two individuals who came up with the idea.

The BFA agreed to sanction the clinics after the players handed in a written presentation for the association to study.

Bascome and Goater plan to stage two camps which are unique in that emphasis will not be placed on soccer but also on the overall human development of youngsters.

"With them going about it the right way the BFA were very pleased to support them. They are using their talents to benefit our young people and with them being good role models it is something that we encouraged,'' said Marshall.

"We only hope that the parents give them as much support as possible as they take positive steps to help further the development of our young people.''