By Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

New JFF team: (From left) First vice-president Dale Spencer; president, Captain Horace Burrell; second vice-president Bruce Gaynor; executive officer Lorraine Scringer, treasurer; Gary Sinclair and third vice-president Raymond Anderson. - contributed

The only election which was supposed to take place at yesterday's voting congress of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) in Negril, Westmoreland, failed to materialise as Linnel McLean backed down from his challenge for the post of first vice-president.

McLean, a veteran football administrator of over 25 years and a second vice-president of the previous administration under the leadership of Crenston Boxhill, and who also served in Captain Burrell's previous administration, pulled out just before the elections were to begin. McLean's withdrawal cleared the way for president of the Manchester Football Association, Dale Spencer, to be elected unopposed.

Spencer joined Burrell, Bruce Gaynor of St. James, Raymond Anderson of St. Mary, and Garfield Sinclair of St. Catherine, who will take up the position of treasurer, and Hanover's Lorraine Scringer who will occupy the position of executive officer. Horace Reid was later returned as general secretary.

Losing position

McLean explained his rationale for his last-minute withdrawal.

"In the first instance, I was placed in a losing position based on those who nominated me and those who nominated Mr Spencer. At that time I felt that I would have had that support even though I did not receive nominations from everyone in the West and there were others who had not nominated anyone at all," said McLean. "With that kind of support it would have been a keen contest between myself and Mr. Spencer.

"Suffice it to say, that as time went on I discovered that some people were not being as straight with whether they would support me or not.

"At the same time I nominated Captain Horace Burrell to show two things: one was that the football needed to be unified at this time and, two, that I was not necessarily satisfied with the previous administration."

McLean said as the election time came closer he realised he didn't have the support and decided to "step back rather than continue with the process".

But while McLean may be out of the mainstream body of football leadership, he remains a football man as president of the Trelawny Football Association and a member of the JFF's executive. He could even work with the current body in another capacity at a later date.

"Yes, but I cannot speak on anything at this point in time, but the president has indicated to me that he would like me to work with him in this situation," McLean said in response to the question of an olive branch being extended by the new body.

CHANGES

After thanking the football family for re-electing him, Burrell made it clear that there will be a lot of changes. As is the norm in other federations, each vice-president will have specific responsibilities.

First vice-president Spencer will have the responsibility of dealing with administration and marketing within the JFF; second vice-president Gaynor will cover matters relating to coaching, the referees and the youth programme, while Anderson will have direct responsibility over operations and competitions. Scringer will handle all responsibilities relating to women's football with support from Elaine Walker-Brown.

Among the major areas that Burrell's administration will be focusing on will be coaching development, which will involve the setting up of a coaching school which will implement a very serious programme in the training and certification of all coaches. Dr. Winston Dawes, Burrell said, subject to board approval, would head a sub-committee to oversee this coaching school either at G.C. Foster College or at UTech.

Refereeing with an aggressive recruitment and training programme will be implemented as well as administrative reforms nationally and at the club level. Development of proper facilities will also get major attention as well as making the most of the National Premier League.

A proper youth development programme, serious attention to the women's programme and World Cup 2010 and beyond also fell under Burrell's new plan.