If you want to play pub football then join the Breakfast League.
That's the blunt message from the Bermuda Football Association to hundreds of weekend footballers upset at the decision to scrap the Commercial Division.
Technical Director Derek Broadley insisted his new structure for local football - officially unveiled yesterday - offered an outlet for any player of any age who wanted to play football.
But he maintained that the resources and infrastructure of the BFA could not support the amount of football it had done in previous years.
And he said improving standards at the top level of the game was a higher priority than catering to an expanding pool of recreational players.
He said he hoped the players currently competing in the Commercial Leagues would not 'walk away' from football but would find their appropriate level in the new structure.
Those who believe they can compete at First Division level or higher can try and join any of the 19 teams competing in those divisions, those who want a kick around and have a beer afterwards can join the Masters league, while younger players can compete in the new Development League for 17-23-year-olds.
There is also an option for any club to apply to join any division.
Broadley accepted the changes would mean significantly less players involved in structured BFA organized leagues.
But he believes the end result will be increased competition for places raising the standard across the board with weaker or less committed players ending up in the Breakfast League.
He said Bermuda had limited resources in terms of referees and fields and had to priorotize its top, competitive level.
"My job is to raise the standard of Bermudian football. Hopefully those players (Commercial players) won't walk away from football. They should be refocused to play at their correct level."
