Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

There is now an uneasy calm hanging over the leadership of the St James Football Association (StJFA) as businessman George Evans, who resigned the presidency in a huff early last month while on vacation in England, is said to be back in the island but is keeping a low profile.

"He (Evans) is back in the island but our attempts to make contact with him have failed," a senior board member told The Gleaner yesterday. "We are anxious to speak to him because we need to make a final decision on his resignation."

Upon the receipt of Evans' resignation, which was sent via email and copied to the media, the remnants of the embattled StJFA executive met in an emergency meeting and, after discussing the contents of the resignation letter, voted not to accept it. Instead, they opted to ask Evans to reconsider his position on his return to the island.

"It was decided that the resignation of Mr George Evans as president will not be accepted at this time," interim president David Watt told The Gleaner at the time. "The board has stated that they will await his return to the country in late August and speak with him, after this dialogue, a further release will be made."

With Evans reportedly back in the island and not responding to calls to his telephone number, speculations are rife that he has no desire of meeting with or holding any discussion with his former colleagues regarding the StJFA leadership.

Unauthorised email

Upon resigning, Evans make no bones about the fact that he felt his authority was usurped and his leadership compromised by an unauthorised email over the signature of the FA's general secretary, Bruce Gaynor, which was sent to the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) recommending that Warren Barrett, who was hit with a five-year ban for striking a referee, be reinstated as national goalkeeper coach.

Following the resignation of Evans, arguably the most popular president of the StJFA in recent times, several prominent stakeholders in the parish's football called for the resignation of the entire board, arguing that without Evans, the board was no longer credible.

"They (the remnant of the board) just need to do the decent thing and resign," said former FA general secretary Alvin Clarke. "A lame duck board does not cut it for me. They just need to resign and put the future of our football back in the hands of the affiliates."

Cling to power

However, as the David Watt-led board continues to cling to power, a source within has confided in The Gleaner that matters surrounding financial accountability could make the upcoming annual general meeting (AGM), which is constitutionally due next month, a fiery affair.

"I seriously doubt the board will be in a position to put out a properly audited financial report because of the haphazard manner in which it has been operating," the source told The Gleaner. "Honestly, I am expecting a lot of fireworks at the AGM."

Retired international cricket umpire Steve Bucknor, who was also a FIFA referee and has an impressive résumé in St James' domestic football, has indicated that he will be vying for the post of president.