BUREAUCRACY looks like scuppering Holcombe Brook Sports Club's hopes of recruiting Julia Lutrova for a crunch game in this summer's Kia National Clubs League Tournament.

The Russian tennis ace has competed for the Longsight Road club's successful ladies team for each of the last seven years, and was all set to join up for this summer too.

However, she was informed last week that her existing Soviet Union passport, due to expire at the end of 2004, would not qualify her for a visa and that subsequently she would need a new Russian Federation one.

Despite paying a 'premium' to speed up the process of obtaining a new passport, red tape - and an official going on an untimely holiday - have merely slowed it down.

The Siberian-based player, who now coaches in her homeland, will not be able to obtain her relevant paperwork and visa until June 8, two days after her club's big championship decider with Manchester Northern.

With that in mind, team manager Tony Lawson has appealed to tournament director Paul Hutchings to allow Lutrova to compete in the Manchester game, citing the exceptional circumstances.

Holcombe Brook have a fine record in the prestigious competition winning it back in 2001, and are well on course for qualification to the national stages, having won all four group games to date.

And Lutrova (28), once ranked 150th in the world, takes a delight in playing with the local club, having made lots of friends at the village.

"Julia comes over to play just for expenses - nothing else - and stays with us every year, she is part of the family now," said Lawson.

"She usually coaches in Siberia from September to the end of May, but then has to take a break in the summer because of the mosquitoes.

"I'm hoping the tournament director will allow her to play the one match as it is such a special case.

"Julia's circumstances are exceptional and I hope they take into consideration the sacrifices she makes to compete every summer."

It's an annual 30-hour trek from her parents' home in Siberia to compete for Holcombe Brook with a drive through the Ural Mountains, followed by a train to Moscow where she picks up a flight to Manchester.

Ironically, if she had lived in Russia, with her parents, the new passport would have taken only one week to process, but as she hasn't lived in Siberia for a ten year period different rules apply.

"I really hope Julia gets the dispensation needed to play next the next game," added Lawson.

"She was very distressed when she heard the news. All her town know of her situation and her local Sports Council are trying all they can to help."