Richard Bryan, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Incumbent Patrick Malcolm was returned as president of the St Elizabeth Football Association yesterday.

Malcolm held off the challenge of St Elizabeth Technical High's principal Keith Wellington, 35 votes to 30 at the extraordinary congress in Santa Cruz.

Having lost the presidential vote, the rest of Wellington's slate withdrew, except for Vinceroy Blake who decided to seek his previous post of treasurer. He was easily beaten 49-16 by Lenny Campbell. Campbell joined Appleton's Kwesi Faulknor (third vice-president) as the new members of Malcolm's executive.

challenge

Malcolm, principal of Carrisbrook Primary, was initially installed as president following the sudden death of Courtney Browne in 2008. No elections had been held since be began his tenure and it was anticipated that a challenge could shake up the association. Incumbent general secretary, Paul Vassell, decided to stick with Malcolm but the treasurer, Blake, was advertised on the proposed Wellington slate.

St Elizabeth is home to two daCosta Cup champions, and boast sponsorship for most of their leagues. However, it has not tasted Premier League participation since Santa United did so in the 1980s, and the parish's clubs have generally struggled at the Confed level. However, there have been signs of improvement at the youth level as they finished second to St Catherine in this year's Juici-Patties Confed Under-13 league.