Nembhard pips Bucknor for St JFA's top job

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

Former referee Texchus Nembhard was elevated to the presidency of the St James Football Association (StJFA) on Monday night after defeating former top-flight cricket umpire Steve Bucknor by one vote at the association's annual general meeting in Montego Bay.

With both men tied on 41-41 each and just one of the legitimate 43 ballots left to be counted, a hush fell over the Montego Bay Cricket Club Building as director of elections Sheridan Samuels closely examined the final ballot. When he announced, "Nembhard", spontaneous celebrations broke out among Nembhard's supporters.

"This is the closest election I have ever seen in all my years in football," declared Samuels. "Had it not been the one spoilt vote, it could well have ended 42-42 which would have required a casting vote by the outgoing president."

Nembhard, who is a former chairman of the Western Referees Group, was both elated and relieved at his razor-thin margin of victory. He made it clear that he intends to use 'hard work and dedication' to convince those affiliates who did not support his candidacy that he is worthy of the job.

Opportunity to help

"Being elected to the presidency gives me an opportunity to help to restructure the parish's football as we seek to rebuild for the future," said Nembhard. "A lot of things went wrong during the last administration and I intend to correct those mistakes so that we can move from strength to strength."

Veteran administrator David Watt, who served as interim president during the last admini-stration, defeated journalist Bryan Miller for the post of first vice-president 26-16. However, Miller was installed unopposed as second vice-president.

The full executive reads: Texchus Nembhard, president; David Watt, first vice-president; Bryan Miller, second vice-president; Bruce Gaynor, general secretary; Tracey Reid, assistant general secretary and Macklyn Peterkin, treasurer. Except for Miller and Peterkin, all the other members are survivors from the last administration.

In addition to the main executive, five persons were selected as council members to serve alongside the main executive. The five are former referee Gregory Daley, Jenni Quarrie, Joy Nelson, Lilli-Mae Crawford and Tyrone Gordon.

Prior to the election of officers, the meeting threatened to become contentious as affilliates grilled the outgoing administration on issues such as the state of the FA's finances, the controversial email that was sent to the JFF in regards to the five-year ban slapped on former national captain Warren Barrett and the controversial use of the UDC playing field as a car park during this year's staging of Reggae Sumfest.

"I have been around football for a long time and I have seen the mistakes that have been made in the past," said president Nembhard. "My intention is to correct the errors and put our football back on a strong path."