StJFA board a 'laughing stock' -Bucknor poised to challenge for presidency

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

The embattled St James Football Association (StJFA) will be stuck with a lame duck leadership until late August, as the board on Thursday voted to reject George Evans' resignation, which was submitted via email from England on Tuesday.

Following an emergency meeting on Thursday, the remnants of the board, which is now led by David Watt, sent out a release stating that they had decided not to accept Evans' resignation and will seeking dialogue with him when he returns to the island.

It added: "Mr David Watt will continue to act as president of the FA until then. The FA will also meet on Monday, August 16, 2010 at their regular bimonthly meeting."

However, based on unconfirmed reports, the vacationing Evans, who stated in his resignation letter he had made the decision "after much soul-searching and deliberations", has confided to close associates that his position is final and he has no intention of being lured back to lead the board, as he has lost faith in its members.

In what was a stinging criticism of the board, Evans' resignation letter stated: "With regret, the manner in which we have handled ourselves has left much to be desired, combined with long-established protocols and procedures and, with that, it has made the board a laughing stock. As the president and one who believes in accountability and repercussions for actions, I am therefore willing to accept full responsibility and make the honourable decision, that is, to step down."

Evans was reacting to an unauthorised e-mail that was sent to the Jamaica Football Fedration regarding disciplinary action taken against Warren Barrett and the unsanctioned use and damage to the Urban Development Corporation playing field - events which evoked much criticism and left Evans feeling that his position as president had been compromised.

But even as Watt and the remaining board members try to steady the board, reports are surfacing that respectable sports personality and retire international cricket umpire Steve Bucknor is fine-tuning preparation to challenge for the presidency when the life of the current board expires in October.

"He (Bucknor) will definitely be running," said a source close to Bucknor. "I know former vice-president Bryan Miller is shortlisted as a member of his team and that George Evans had previously indicated that he would be willing to be part of a team led by Mr Bucknor."

The current board is poised to come under more pressure, as at least one board member has been pushing for the immediate dissolution of the board and the calling of fresh elections, saying, as stated in Evans" resignation letter, the board has become a "laughing stock".