www.islandstats.com has received the Bermuda Football Associations Competitions Committee response to the article regarding Goose Gosling field.
While the BFA Executive Council doesn’t normally engage in public discourse with one of our member clubs, having read the article on IslandStats attributed to BAA President Mike McGrath, it is important to bring clarity to the issues of safety at Goose Gosling Field that he has raised.
Communication was received by the Association from the Bermuda Referees Association that the referees have withdrawn their services from Goose Gosling Field until player and match official safety concerns are adequately addressed based on the condition of some parts of the artificial field.
BFA Competitions Committee conducted a site visit along with BAA President Mike McGrath. At that time, Mr. McGrath indicated that while some of the materials needed to rectify the identified issues were already in hand, completion of the work was dependent on sustained dry weather conditions. This was particularly relevant to the field line markings, which were acknowledged to pose a trip hazard. Mr. McGrath indicated that he agreed with this reality.
The BAA President McGrath further stated that temporary solutions could be implemented to mitigate other issues—specifically, securing the goals and addressing the inoperable gate latches surrounding the perimeter fencing. It was agreed at the time that using zip ties could serve as an effective short-term measure for the gate latches. Mr. McGrath’s statement—expressing confusion about the concern regarding the fencing raised in the BFA’s email is disingenuous.
During the field inspection , Mr. McGrath questioned why these concerns were only now being raised, given that the venue had been used during the U23 tournament. It was indicated that these concerns were recently raised by the BRA in preparation for the upcoming season and a response to them is required along with a plan to resolve them.
As it relates to violence, as an associate member, it would have been constructive and courteous to initiate a dialogue with members of the Association to discuss any perceived security or safety concerns before making the unilateral decision to withdraw Goose Gosling Field. Particularly because the BAA President and Board Members would have been able to avail themselves of intelligence, information, expertise and reports that bring the events at Bernard Park into context.
To use that incident as a reason to withdraw Goose Gosling Field is again disingenuous. The recent incident at Bernard Park is being addressed by the BFA Disciplinary Committee, and at least one club has already taken proactive steps to prevent a recurrence.
The BFA Competitions Committee will work with the clubs who are affected by this unfortunate decision to ensure they are accommodated at other grounds. Despite the incident at Bernard’s Park as well as other recent antisocial and violent incidents that have happened in Bermuda, football has proven to be the necessary sporting and social activity to bring people together despite our differences and we anticipate the football season continuing with little interruption.
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Bermuda Overseas Footballers Round-Up
IslandStats.com
Bermudian footballer Jutorre Burgess saw his Emirates FA Cup journey with Harborough Town come to an end, while Milan Butterfield's Halesowen Town were defeated in a local derby.
Harborough Town's valiant run in the Emirates FA Cup was stopped by National League side Altrincham, who won the Fourth Qualifying Round Replay 3-0 after extra-time at The Beehive.
The tie was forced into an additional 30 minutes after a scoreless regulation time. However, Altrincham finally broke the deadlock in extra time, with goals in the 98th, 107th, and 110th minutes securing their passage to the First Round proper. Bermudian winger Jutorre Burgess was an unused substitute for Harborough Town.
In Southern Premier Central Division action, Milan Butterfield and his Halesowen Town teammates suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat at home to local rivals Redditch United at The Grove.
Halesowen had taken a 1-0 lead into the half-time interval, but Redditch fought back in the second half, scoring three goals before Halesowen managed a late consolation strike. Midfielder Butterfield came on as a second-half substitute in the contested derby.
Elsewhere, Ayleal Dill and his Southwell City teammates secured a point in their United Counties League Division One fixture, playing out a 1-1 draw against Rainworth MWFC.
The provided match highlights for Southwell City are from a previous season, but offer a look at the club's action.
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Bermuda’s CONCACAF World Cup W Qualifying Schedule
IslandStats.com
CONCACAF has announced the full schedule for the first window of the 2025/26 Concacaf W Qualifiers, marking the start of the region's preliminary stage for the 2026 Concacaf W Championship.
The competition window will run from Thursday, November 27th through Tuesday, December 2nd.
The qualifiers involve 29 Member Associations, excluding the highest-ranked nations, the United States and Canada. At the conclusion of the qualifying stage in April 2026, the six group winners will advance to join the US and Canada in the final eight-team Concacaf W Championship.
Bermuda has been drawn into Group C and will face a challenging path alongside strong regional teams: Costa Rica Guatemala Grenada Cayman Islands
The 2026 Concacaf W Championship is crucial, as it will serve as the Confederation’s direct qualifier for both the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 and the 2028 LA Summer Olympics. The path to the biggest global tournaments now begins for Bermuda this November.
Thursday, November 27, 2025
Cayman Islands vs. Bermuda – Truman Bodden Sports Complex, George Town, Cayman Islands
Monday, December 1, 2025
Guatemala vs. Bermuda – Estadio Cementos Progreso, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Bermuda vs. Costa Rica
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Bermuda vs. Grenada
Monday, October 13, 2025
Referee Corner Excellence in Action Live 5:30 pm
IslandStats.com
www.islandstats.com, and the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) is renewing its push to bolster the ranks of local match officials by continuing its strategic collaboration with islandstats.com for the current season.
The initiative aims to inspire more individuals to join the refereeing ranks, addressing the perennial challenge of official shortages within the domestic game.
The centerpiece of this recruitment drive is the special weekly segment, "Excellence in Action," which airs live every Monday at 5:30 PM on the platform's Referees Corner show.
This programme is set to feature members of the Bermuda Referee Association, who will discuss the benefits of becoming a certified official, including pathways to international experience, income generation, and developing leadership skills crucial for the game’s sustainability.
By leveraging the live platform, the BFA aims to provide greater transparency and insight into the world of officiating, encouraging football enthusiasts to see the sport from a new and essential perspective.
Monday, October 13, 2025
Changes Announced for Bermuda Football On & Off the Field
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda Football Association (BFA) advises that the Senior Men’s Team departed Bermuda on Sunday, October 12th and arrived safely in Kingston, Jamaica. They will settle in the team hotel and begin the arrival protocols before their official training session today.
There have been two changes to the team. Reese Jones, who was taken off in Friday’s match, has been ruled out and has returned to his club. Nahki Wells has returned to the UK due to personal family reasons.
Enrique Russell returns to the squad after serving a one match suspension. David Jones has been activated and traveled with the team to Kingston.
Meanwhile, the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) announced four appointments to FIFA Standing committees for the next four years.
BFA Women’s Committee Chairperson Shequita Parson has been appointed to the FIFA Grassroots and Amateur Football Committee. BFA General Secretary, David Sabir, continues his involvement at FIFA with his appointment to the Stadium and Security Committee, which he has been actively involved with since 2006. Senior Men’s National Team Coach Michael Findlay has been appointed to the Technical Development Committee. BFA President Mark Wade moves from the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to take up the position of Deputy Chair of the Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Committee.
The appointments are an indication of FIFA’s confidence in the administration at the BFA and Bermuda’s standing globally.
And Finally, the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) has been forced to make last-minute amendments to the Premier and First Division schedules following the unexpected closure of the BAA Field.
The closure has resulted in two key matches being moved to the Devonshire Recreation Club this week.
The First Division encounter between Robin Hood and St. David’s, originally set for Thursday, October 16th, has been pushed back by 24 hours. The match will now take place on Friday, October 17th, with a 7:00 p.m. kick-off at the Devonshire Recreation Club.
The disruption also affects the top-flight Premier Division. The highly anticipated match-up between the Dandy Town Hornets and PHC Zebras, initially slated for Saturday, October 18th, has been brought forward to also take place on Friday, October 17th, kicking off at 9:00 p.m. at the Devonshire Recreation Club.
The BFA confirmed the changes were necessary due to the pitch unavailability, urging fans to take note of the new dates and venue.