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**Lionpaw** · November 4, 2007, 04:56 PM

Yipeeee!

**Karl** · November 4, 2007, 06:08 PM

Captain Burrell returns to JFF today

Captain Horace Burrell is set to replace Crenston Boxhill as president of the Jamaica Football Federation this afternoon at the federation’s voting congress at the Sandals Negril hotel.

Burrell is merely awaiting formalities to replace Boxhill, who, in the face of Jamaica’s rapidly declining international football standings, has declined seeking a second term in office.

Ironically, Boxhill booted Burrell from office in November 2003 after the former army man, now turned baking industry mogul, had served two terms at the helm of the JFF. During that time, he rallied Jamaica from football obscurity to an historic qualification for World Cup 1998 in France.
With both Jamaica’s international and domestic football affairs in turmoil, Burrell has promised “a 180-degree turn” upon taking office.

Jamaica’s scarcity of friendly internationals has led to the island being ranked 103rd by FIFA after reaching an all-time high of 27th in the world under Burrell’s administration.

Following the recent cancellation of a friendly international against Ghana in London, domestic football was sent into chaos earlier this week.
The Cash Plus Premier League was on Tuesday thrown into turmoil and uncertainty after the JFF suspended Wednesday’s round of games.

General secretary of the JFF, Burchell Gibson, laid the blame squarely at the feet of the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), a body chaired by former Prime Minister and president of the Tivoli Gardens Football Club, Edward Seaga.

Gibson said the PLCA, whose board comprises an executive from each of the 12 Premier League clubs, was authorised to act on behalf of the JFF to negotiate sponsorship of the league, culminating in new sponsors Cash Plus Limited assuming title sponsorship from Wray and Nephew Limited.

However, Gibson said there has since been a “breakdown” in agreement between the federation and the PLCA as it relates to communication and financial arrangements of the league to which Cash Plus Limited has committed $150m over three years.

Burrell said this issue, among others, would be dealt with at today’s meeting.
“I have been thinking about the way forward for several weeks now. I am very focused but will not speak to any of these plans until the afternoon of November 4,” he said recently.

**Karl** · November 4, 2007, 06:11 PM

Sweeping changes expected at JFF voting congress

Thursday, 01 November 2007

There is a high level of uncertainty among the secretariat at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) ahead of Sunday's voting congress which will see a change in leadership.

Captain Horace Burrell, who is heading into the congress unopposed for the presidency of the JFF, had hinted at technical changes, but now sweeping changes are expected to be made.

RJR Sports has learnt that the league's technical director, Latoya DaCosta has resigned, while General Secretary Burchell Gibson is on the verge of vacating his post.

Technical director Bora Milutinovic is also awaiting his fate.

The senior team under Bora's watch has won just one of six matches.

November 14 will be the end of the first year of his four year contract.

**Mosiah** · November 5, 2007, 01:44 AM

The Captain may have been celebrating before the Congress. The clip on TVJ showed a man struggling to read from his notes, fumbling and repeating himself. It was almost embarrassing.

Perhaps, Karl, you can ask him what happened. He is usually so polished and suave.

**Sir X** · November 5, 2007, 01:45 AM

'Better days ahead'
Captain Burrell outlines 8-point plan to rebuild football after retaking the reins of the JFF
BY PAUL A REID Observer writer reidp@jamaicaobserver.com
Monday, November 05, 2007

NEGRIL, Westmoreland - Declaring that "a new dawning is upon us", and "better days are ahead for our football", Captain Horace Burrell was yesterday officially returned to head the nation's most popular sports, football, following the Special General Meeting (Voting Congress) of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) at Beaches Negril.

BURRELL. the JFF shall facilitate a programme of sustainable development, characterised by professional administration. (Photo: Paul Reid)
With the late withdrawal of Trelawny's Linnell McLean from the contest for the position of first vice-president, the way was cleared for the Captain Burrell-favoured Dale Spencer of Manchester to take up the position.

Joining Captain Burrell and Spencer on the executive are second vice-president Bruce Gaynor of St James, treasurer Gary Sinclair of St Catherine and Executive Officer Lorraine Scringer, who created history by being the first female senior executive of the JFF.

Outgoing president, Crenston Boxhill, who left the Congress after delivering his speech, and handing over the reins to McLean, who was the second vice-president in the previous administration, said progress was made during his tenure, but he conceded the failure of the Under-23 team to qualify for the Olympic Games next year was a "personal disappointment".

However, he said this did not mean he end of the road for the players, all of whom, he believes, were talented players.
Meanwhile, at an emergency meeting of the new executive immediately following the Congress, Horace Reid was unanimously appointed as the new general secretary, replacing Burchell Gibson, who had tendered his resignation earlier in the day, but offered his assistance to the new executive "in whatever way they required".

In a post congress press conference, Captain Burrell said the new executive will start working at 8:00 this morning where the "proper handing over will be done and Mr Gibson was requested to be there to hand over to Mr Reid".

THE NEW EXECUTIVE: Members of the new JFF executive (from left) Dale Spencer, first vice-president; Captain Horace Burrell, president; Bruce Gaynor, second vice-president; Lorraine Scringer, Executive Officer; Gary Sinclair, treasurer and Raymond Anderson, third vice-president pose at yesterday's Congress in Negril. (Photo: Paul Reid)

In his acceptance speech, Captain Burrell said his plans to put the sport back on firm footing hinged on eight major planks, inclusive of coaching development; referees; administrative reforms at all levels, the JFF, the respective parish associations and the clubs; development and improvement of playing facilities; improving the technical aspects of the present Premier League; youth development and a national football academy; improvement of women's football and qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The "overwhelming, tremendous support from the delegates", he said, was "a vote of confidence that was most needed at this time. It means the Jamaica Football Federation will once again more forward as unit".
To move forward, he said, "the JFF must re-establish itself as viable organisation that is compatible to modern business trends in the global marketplace".

Captain Burrell, who served as president of the JFF between 1994 and 2003 before he was shocking defeated by Boxhill, said it is the vision of the new JFF executive that Jamaica establish itself as not just a powerhouse in CONCACAF, but on the world stage, and as a result, the mission statement will be: "The JFF shall facilitate a programme of sustainable development, characterised by professional administration, a very high level of technical competence, international infrastructural standards, innovation, creativity and responsiveness to our corporate partners, government stakeholders and by extension the Jamaican people.
"Also, our national teams should be able to represent us consistently anywhere in the world," he said.

Captain Burrell said there is a fundamental need to attract more talent from corporate Jamaica into football, as the current structure of football administration cannot meet the challenges of the modern game.

"We must change the way we do business," he stressed; adding: "As we move forward as a board we are going to do all that is within our powers to ensure the parish associations move up a couple of notches in so far as their administration is concerned."

**Sir X** · November 5, 2007, 01:46 AM

Bora's fate to be known tomorrow

Paul Reid
Monday, November 05, 2007

NEGRIL, Westmoreland - The fate of current national Technical Director, Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic, will be known by tomorrow following a review of his contract by the new Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) administration today.

New JFF president, Captain Horace Burrell, who was returned as head of the country's football programme yesterday at the Special General Meeting (Voting Congress) held in Negril, said one of the first order of business of his new administration was a review of the contract of the technical director.

At a press conference held after the Congress and following an emergency meeting of the new executive committee, Burrell said the contract will "be looked at very carefully, following the meeting a report will be tabled at another emergency board meeting, which will be held on November 6 at 11:00 am. At that time a decision will be taken as to the way forward where Mr Milutinovic is concerned".

Milutinovic's tenure has been widely criticised by many in the sport, mainly due to the lack of games being played by the national senior team which has resulted in Jamaica's embarrassing fall to its worst position in the FIFA ranking at 103rd.

**Sir X** · November 5, 2007, 01:48 AM

Old faces return to head various committees

BY PAUL A REID Observer writer reidp@jamaicaobserver.com
Monday, November 05, 2007

NEGRIL, Westmoreland - A number of old faces was yesterday re-appointed to head various standing committees under the newly-elected Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) administration at the Special General Meeting (Voting Congress) held at Beaches Negril.

REID. resigned with immediate effect from all positions with Portmore United FC. (Photo: Paul Reid)
The re-appointments, which were ironed out in an emergency executive committee meeting held immediately following the Congress and announced at a press conference, saw Howard McIntosh, David Watt and Elaine Walker-Brown, all who served under Burrell in his previous stint, being named to the new executive.

McIntosh returns to head the influential Technical and Development Committee; Watt, a former long-serving third vice-president, will return to head the Disciplinary Committee, while Walker-Brown, as was expected, will remain head the Women's Committee.

Leighton McKnight is the head of the Finance Committee; Michael Ricketts will head the Competitions' Committee; Dr Guyan Arscott will head the Medical Committee; former FIFA referee, Peter Prendergast, will head the Referees' Committee; Senior Superintendent Harry Daley is the new head of the Security Committee and Major General John Simmonds will head the Appeals Committee.

Former JFF president, Lincoln 'Happy' Sutherland, and newly-elected treasurer, Gary Sinclair, will head ad hoc Protocol and Marketing committees, respectively.
Additionally, Captain Burrell, at the Congress, also outlined the roles of each of the three vice-presidents and the Executive Officer.

The new first vice-president, Dale Spencer, will be responsible for administration and marketing within the federation; second vice-president, Bruce Gaynor, will have coaching, referees and the youth as his areas of responsibility, while third vice-president, Raymond Anderson, is responsible for operations and competitions.

Lorraine Scringer, the lone female on the executive, will have women's football as her area of responsibility.
Meanwhile, Horace Reid, who was appointed the general secretary, has resigned with immediate effect from all positions with Portmore United FC.

Captain Burrell announced that Reid has resigned as a director and technical director of the Premier League outfit. Reid took the decision to avoid any conflict of interest that may arise in his new capacity.

**Sir X** · November 5, 2007, 01:49 AM

Decision on 'Bora' tomorrow
published: Monday | November 5, 2007

Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

Bora Milutinovic

Mexican national Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic will know his status with the country's football programme in another 24 hours.

There has been much talk that with the new administration, the nomadic coach who has guided five nations at the world's biggest football tournament could be shown the door.

While Captain Burrell made no reference to any coach being drafted to fill Milutinovic's role, following the press conference, there was much talk that the Serbia-born Milutinovic, who resides in Mexico, should be replaced by an old favourite of the new hierarchy, Rene Simoes, who held the position when Jamaica qualified for the World Cup Finals in France, 1998.

While making no reference to any possible replacements, Jamaica Football Federation (J.F.F.) president, Captain Horace Burrell, stated at a press conference called after yesterday's voting congress held in Westmorealnd which returned him to power, that Milutinovic's contract will be reviewed today.

That announcement was the last and perhaps most important of a number of announcements made yesterday after an emergency meeting of his newly formed administrative body.

Emergency meeting

"The contract of technical director, Mr. Milutinovic, will be viewed tomorrow, at which time it will be viewed carefully after which a report will be tabled at another emergency meeting that will be called on Tuesday at 1100 hours, where a decision will be taken regarding the way forward with Mr. Milutinovic. The press will be advised of the decision taken," Burrell told members of the media who stuck around for the press conference.

Among the other announcements made yesterday were the predictable return of his chief lieutenant, Horace Reid, as general secretary of the federation, Leighton McKnight as head of the finance committee and Howard McIntosh as chairman of the technical and development committee. To take up his new appointment, Reid has resigned all his positions relating to the Portmore Football Club, where he was both a director and technical director.

Changes

Other loyalists such as David Watt was rewarded with the chairmanship of the disciplinary committee, Peter Prendergast, who will resign as president of the Jamaica Football Referees association (JFRA), with the chairmanship of the referees commission, Lincoln "Happy" Sutherland as chairman of the protocol committee, and Michael Ricketts, who will head the competitions committee.

Space was also found for Elaine Walker-Brown, who will chair the women's committee, Dr. Guyan Arscott, the medical committee, Harry Daley, the security committee, Garfield Sinclair, the marketing committee and the appeals committee, which will be chaired by Major General, retired Chief of Staff Major John Simmonds.

Other important matters which Captain Burrell outlined included the speedy resolution of the impasse between the Premier League Club Association (PLCA) and the JFF, which led to the suspension of the Cash Plus Premier League, now being sponsored by financial entity, Cash Plus Group.

Captain Burrell tasked Reid, Prendergast, third vice-president Raymond Anderson and Ricketts to meet and get the league up and running again.

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