Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

THE JAMAICA Football Federation Western Confederation's (JFFWC) decision not to have bitter rivals Granville FC of St. James and Montpelier of Hanover play against each other at their respective home venues in the 2006-07 Captain's Bakery Western Super League has left the management of the Granville team hopping mad.

"We think it is rather unfair to move us from our home ground as we are perfectly capable of providing the required security," said Granville's chief administrator/assistant coach, Tracey Reid, whose team plays at the Sam Sharpe Teachers' College ground. "In addition, as a St. James team, I don't think it is right to be sending us to play in Trelawny," he said.

However, in declaring the JFFWC move a precautionary security measure, confederation chairman Everton Tomlinson said that following last year's horrifying brawl between supporters of the two teams in Montego Bay, his executive felt that it would be best to have the two teams play their scheduled home games at neutral venues.

"In the brawl last year, several spectators sustained injuries and we definitely don't want to see a recurrence," said Tomlinson. "We know it will be an additional expenses to the teams but we have a responsibility to protect the players, the spectators and the image of the game," he said.

As a result of the JFFWC decision, Granville are now scheduled to play their game against Montpelier at the Elletson Wakeland Youth Centre in Falmouth while Montpelier will host the return game at the Frome Sports Ground in Westmoreland.

"It is not like we are stopping them from playing home games as this decision will only affect the games between the two teams," said Tomlinson. "We don't want this to be a contentious issue so we are asking the teams to try and appreciate what we are trying to do."

Unnecessary expenditure

However, declaring that her cash-strapped team is being forced into unnecessary expenditure, Reid said she would gladly give up her home venue for another venue in St. James.

"We know we can provide security at Sam Sharpe but in the spirit of compromise, we are prepared to give up that venue for the game if that will make the JFFWC happy," said Reid. "However, asking us to go and prepare a venue in Trelawny, get security and then find transportation to go is definitely asking us to do too much."

Efforts to contact the management of Montpelier for their take on the issue proved futile, but a source close to the team said the Hanover team, which had two officials of their team banned after last year's brawl, had requested the adjustment in the fixture.