Adrian Frater, News Editor
JFF president Crenston Boxhill (left), general secretary Burchell Gibson (second), JFF second vice-president Linnel McLean (third left) and JFF third vice-president Patrick Robert show a united front after staving off a vote of no-confidence brought against the administration at its annual congress at Munro College in St. Elizabeth yesterday. - ADRIAN FRATER PHOTO
WESTERN BUREAU:
JAMAICA FOOTBALL Federation (JFF) president Crenston Boxhill yesterday survived the attempt to oust him when delegates at the non-voting congress at Munro College, in St. Elizabeth, shot down the motion of no-confidence which was brought against his two-year-old administration.
"Now that this nonsense is over I hope we will be given a chance to take care of the nation's football without any further hindrance," said Boxhill, following the defeat of the motion.
The 'no confidence' motion, which was brought to the floor by Sheridan Samuels, the vice-chairman of the JFF Western Confederation, got the support of the majority of the delegates by a close 53-51 margin but that was well short of the two-thirds (70) of the 104 votes needed constitutionally for the motion to be successful.
"I am thankful for the support of those delegates who stood with the administration today because I am sure that they know that we mean football well," said a seemingly relieved Boxhill. "It is my hope that we will now unite in the best interest of nation's football."
LEGITIMATE CONCERNS
Defending his decision to spearhead the no-confidence motion, Samuels said a lot of delegates have legitimate concerns about the running of the JFF but were too afraid to state their claim. He said the JFF's constitution makes provision for the no-confidence vote and he had no regret about availing himself of that provision.
"I did not come here to make trouble, there were some concerns that needed to come to fore and we used this opportunity to do so," said an unapologetic Samuels.
"Come next year, if we have similar concerns I will definitely not be afraid to go this route again."
The motion, which called for the removal of president Boxhill, first vice-president George Evans, second vice-president Linnel McLean, third vice-president, Patrick Roberts and executive director Anthony Hewitt and for the sacking of general secretary Burchell Gibson, was raised against the background of allegations that the national programme had regressed under the current administration.
St. Catherine FA president Lincoln 'Happy' Sutherland, who supported the 'no-confidence motion, said that despite taking a stance against the current administration, he was still prepared to continue working with the Boxhill team as according to him, his primary interest is to support the growth and development of national football.
"I felt a certain way coming into this congress but the delegates disagree so it's time to move on," said Sutherland, himself a former JFF president who has been at the helm of St. Catherine Football for over 40-years. "I have always been serving the best interest of national football and I will continue to do so. I have no plans to step aside."
While seemingly annoyed that the motion had been brought to the floor, vice-president Roberts said he was willing and ready to offer an olive branch to those delegates who came to the congress hoping to see the back of the current administration.
"At the end of the day football is bigger than all of us and it would be to our benefit if we seek to iron out our differences and try to work together," said Roberts. "I will support any move to bring about unity so I am ready to offer the olive branch to those who did not support us."
It was widely anticipated that had the no-confidence vote prevailed, it would have opened the door for a return of former JFF president Captain Horace Burrell, who has expressed a desired to reclaim the reins of national football.
