1997 ended as it began, with Bermuda Football Association President Neville Tyrrell promising great things for the future.

Whether his optimism will be borne out over the next 12 months remains to be seen, but did similar predictions this time last year prove to be the start of an intricate move, finished clinically, or were they a hopeful and rather aimless long punt forward? The BFA might look back on what they believe to have been a fruitful year, while others would beg to differ.

But certainly 1997 started on a good note. Former West Ham star, Bermudian Clyde Best, was put in temporary charge of the national team for the Shell Cup in Jamaica, where the Island went down to two narrow defeats to the hosts who later qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time.

It was Bermuda's first taste of international soccer in four years and while the results were encouraging, Best could see an immediate need for his players to improve their fitness.

The one-time Somerset Trojan's position later became permanent, his three-year contract as Director of Coaching attracting an annual salary of $50-100,000 -- his role, to serve as the lynchpin for the BFA's new six-year plan.

That plan, revealed in February, had an ambitious aim: it would increase international exposure so that Bermuda's national teams at seven levels would make major competitions by the next century -- with the ultimate goal the senior side's qualification for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

But opponents were hard to come by, a situation illustrated late in the year when Puerto Rico, lined up for two games at full and under-23 level, announced they couldn't make it.

It wasn't the first time the Caribbean side had let Bermuda down: in February, their late withdrawal from the Shell Cup caused frantic administrative re-organisation.

Not that Bermuda could claim any moral high ground -- when only nine of 23 players named in Best's squad turned up for a training session it spoke volumes about their enthusiasm, or lack of it.

Sponsorship money, however, began to return to the game slowly but surely, as the BFA estimated $4 million was needed to carry out its long-term plan -- and only a little over $1 million was likely to come from gate receipts.

Centre Re were first on board, investing $100,000, the Bank of Bermuda donated $200,000 to youth development, while Cable & Wireless brightened October with a $160,000 contribution to the under-23 Olympic team.

On the domestic front, the BFA suffered a number of administrative problems early in the 1997-8 season. Devonshire Rec was already out of action because of re-building work when floodlight difficulties hit PHC Stadium.

Referees then revealed fear of abuse from fans was driving officials away from the game, leaving a shortage of qualified personnel.

Even more worrying was the outbreak of crowd violence at Somerset Cricket Club in November when gangs following Trojans and Boulevard clashed on the pitch and a Police officer called to restore order was stabbed.

It was a sad blow for the BFA, who had worked hard to restore the image of the game following 1994's Miami Seven scandal. And while they did not try to hide from the problem, they were at pains to point out that it was society's as a whole rather than just football's.

On a more positive note, there was delight on the pitch for Devonshire Colts who, on March 22, claimed their first league title in 24 years. Relegated St.

George's provided the opposition as Colts secured the honour with a 4-0 win on a memorable night at BAA Field. Colts, in fact, came close to a league and Dudley Eve double but, having beaten PHC in the semi-final of the latter competition, were defeated by the same side in the two-league final.

In the FA Cup, Boulevard retained their trophy but were taken all the way by an emerging Wolves line-up who, having disposed of Vasco in the quarter-finals, were keen to claim another First Division scalp. In front of a vocal National Stadium crowd of more than 2,000, John Barry Nusum grabbed a last-minute equaliser to send the tie into extra time at 2-2 before Rodney Bascome ended their dream of glory. But Wolves refused to let the disappointment get to them and ended the year with a 100 percent record in the Second Division.

Colts, however, were not the only side to dispose of an unwanted record.

Another went in the Friendship Cup, North Village lifting their first trophy for four years with a victory over Dandy Town.

And the first trophy of this season, the Martonmere Cup, was captured by Boulevard, although their 3-2 extra-time defeat of Vasco was marred by displays of ill-temper.

And what of absent friends? Shawn Goater added a nought or two to his transfer value as his goals kept English Second Division side Bristol City on track for promotion. But contract wrangles meant that if he does eventually play at a higher level it could be away from City's Ashton Gate ground.

Kyle Lightbourne, meanwhile, made his Second Division departure in the summer, when Coventry City paid fellow Midlanders Walsall 600,000 to put him in the Premiership spotlight. But the year ended disappointingly for him, the recruitment of Romanian international striker Viorel Moldovan for $5 million, leaving the under-utilised player facing a further period in the reserves.

CHAMPIONS -- Devonshire Colts players celebrate their first league championship win in 24 years. From left, Keishon Smith, Shannon Burgess and Sekai Waldron.

SHAWN GOATER -- still banging in the goals for Bristol City.

CLYDE BEST -- appointed BFA Director of Coaching.