Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

EVERTON TOMLINSON was elected to serve a fourth consecutive term as president of the Westmoreland Football Association (WFA) on Tuesday night after brushing aside the challenge of businessman Junior Francis by a 51-25 margin, in the association's annual general meeting at the Frome Sports Complex in Westmoreland.

"I never had a doubt that I would win," said Tomlinson, who is also chairman of the Jamaica Football Federation's (JFF) Western Confederation. "I have had an excellent working relationship with the affiliates and they have repeatedly told me that I am doing a good job."

Francis, who was beaming with confidence in his bid to unseat Tomlinson, was quite gracious in defeat, conceding that there was no doubt that Tomlinson continues to enjoy the support and confidence of the vast majority of the affiliates.

"The affiliates have spoken and make their choice," said Francis, whose slate fell apart following his defeat. "While I am disappointed, I will still continue to support Westmoreland's football in anyway I can."

Doderick Myrie, who has served all three terms with Tomlinson as his first vice-president, was also re-elected for a fourth term. His challenger, former technical director of national football Wendell Downswell, the most recognisable face on Francis' slate, withdrew his candidacy at the last minute.

The new administration, which has two new faces in assistant general secretary Devon Maxwell and public relations officer David 'Tanka' Taylor, reads as follows:

Everton Tomlinson - president, Doderick Myrie - first vice-president, Donald Gordon - second vice-president, Danree Delancey - third vice-president, Copeland Bailey - general secretary, Devon Maxwell - assistant general secretary, Staci Wilson - treasurer, David Taylor - public relations officer.

Tomlinson's victory is considered a major blow to the current leadership of the JFF, as he has stated publicly on several occasions that he is a staunch ally of former JFF boss Captain Horace Burrell, who is currently campaigning to reclaim his old job. It is believed that the Francis slate had the full backing of the reigning Crenston Boxhill administration.

Youth programme a priority

In outlining the main priority area for his new administration, Tomlinson said significant emphasis would be placed on the strengthening of the parish's youth programme, which is credited with the daCosta Cup success of schools such as Frome Technical, Godfrey Stewart, Manning's, Petersfield and Grange Hill.

"In addition to keeping the youths at the forefront, I will be working assiduously to develop the playing facilities in the parish so that the players will be exposed to better playing surfaces," said Tomlinson.

"But perhaps more than anything else, I will be doing everything in my power to get another team from the parish to qualify for the National Premier League."

The electoral exercise was supervised by Dale Spencer, the president of the JFF's South Central Confederation, and JFF general secretary Burchell Gibson.