Adrian Frater, News Editor
Captain Horace Burrell (right), the CEO of the Captain's Bakery, gives Lorraine Scringer (left), the president of the Hanover FA, a warm embrace after presenting her with a computer for her association. - PHOTO BY ADRIAN FRATER
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE WHEEL which could turn the current Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) administration out of office was thrown into motion yesterday when Everton Tomlinson, the president of the Westmoreland Football Association (WFA), declared that his association was ready to support a no-confidence vote against the present Crenston Boxhill-led administration.
Speaking at the joint press conference to launch the Captain's Bakery-sponsored JFF Western Confederation Super League and Westmoreland FA Major League, in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, Tomlinson said he supported the Boxhill team when it came to office two years ago, but now regrets his support because it had disappointed him.
MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT
"I supported the Boxhill team because I felt it would have done a better job than the previous administration, but I now regret my action because it has turned out to be a major disappointment," said Tomlinson, who is also chairman of the Western Confederation. "If a no-confidence motion is raised at the January 15 JFF Congress in St. Elizabeth, I want to go on record as stating that the WFA will be supporting that motion."
In a swift response to Tomlinson's declaration, former JFF president Captain Horace Burrell, the chief executive officer of the Captain's Bakery, who was the main speaker at the launch, declared he was willing and ready to fill the breach should Boxhill and his team be ousted.
"If I am asked to assume the leadership of the JFF, I would truly be honoured, and would have no reservation about taking up the offer," said Burrell. "Based on my past experiences and my successes as well as my contacts on the world stage, I know I am ready to make a success of the job."
While not openly belittling the leadership of the Boxhill administration, Burrell said national football had not progressed over the past two years and intimated that a return to an administration led by him would see Jamaica's football recapturing the international respect it had in the build-up to 1998 World Cup in France, and in the period before he left office in November, 2003.
LACK OF SUPPORT
In declaring his reasons for turning against the current administration, Tomlinson chastised the Boxhill team for its lack of support of both the WFA and the Western Confederation, and for the current state of national football, which he described as dismal.
In addition, he said the JFF had done a great disservice to national football by changing the format of the Wray & Nephew NPL Competition, which has resulted in Harbour View all but being crowned champions with almost a complete round to go.
"After Hurricane Ivan, other parishes got help from the JFF, but we didn't get anything," said Tomlinson. "Thieves recently broke in the FA's office and stole our computer and when we asked the JFF to assist us in procuring new equipment it turned its back on us."
The no-confidence motion, which appears to be gathering steam before the upcoming JFF Congress, appears to have the support of the parishes of Hanover and St. James.
Meanwhile, at yesterday's launch, the Captain's Bakery announced joint sponsorship of J$2 million between the WFA and the Western Confederation. The WFA and the Hanover FA also received new computers and printers to support their administrative work.
