President of the Westmoreland FA Everton Tomlinson (left) accepts a desktop computer and printer from Captain's Bakery CEO, Captain Horace Burrell, at a press conference in Savanna-la-Mar on Thursday. Looking on is financial controller for Captain's Bakery, Wayne Saulter. (Photos: Dalton Laing)

SAVANNA-LA-MAR - Caribbean Football Union (CFU) senior vice-president Captain Horace Burrell has reiterated that he is willing to lead local football again, but noted that call strictly rests with his colleagues in football.

"I am prepared to make myself available to serve this country in the capacity of president of the federation if and when I am called upon by my football colleagues to do so," he said at a press conference at the offices of The Westmoreland FA in Savanna-la-Mar on Thursday.

The function was to announce renewed sponsorship by the Captain's Bakery of leagues in the Western Confederation.

Burrell, a former president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and current CONCACAF Executive Member, told the gathering that his position and influence in the "high society" of world football could be of great benefit to the local game.

"When you rub shoulders with the president of FIFA, the president of CONCACAF, the president of the Brazilian Football Association and others, you can influence a lot for this little country," he said.

Burrell's wholesale sponsorship of rural parish leagues is seen by many as a move by the suave businessman to build support in a bid for a possible return to the helm of the JFF.

And with a non-voting congress planned for January 15 in St Elizabeth, there is talk that a no-confidence motion is being engineered against the governing Crenston Boxhill administration, and one parish head, Westmoreland's Everton Tomlinson, has made his position clear should such a motion be moved.

"If the motion of no-confidence is moved on the 15th, obviously Westmoreland will support that motion," said Tomlinson on Thursday.

Tomlinson's main bone of contention with the current administration comes out of what he calls the federation's neglect for the Western Confederation.

"I supported Mr Boxhill in his bid for presidency as I thought that he would have done more for the development of football in the confed and because he was like a father to me where football is concerned... today, like a son to a father I have to say, 'dad, you have disappointed me and you have disappointed the confed'," Tomlinson said.

Tomlinson also came out against the current league format of the Wray & Nephew National Premier (NPL), which, he claims, makes it too easy for just one team win. Harbour View, with 50 points, are the clear leaders of the NPL and some people have already declared them winner with just over a round to play.

Tomlinson, president of the Westmoreland FA and chairman of the Western Confed, noted that he made a mistake when he voted against Burrell in the polls at Starfish Resorts in Trelawny two years ago, and having served under four presidents of the JFF, claims the Captain's Bakery CEO is the best he has seen.

At the presentation, Burrell handed over a total of $2 million - $1.1 million to the Westmoreland FA Major League and $850,000 to the Western Confed Super League. He also presented a desktop computer and printer to the WFA office over a year ago. The Hanover FA also received a PC and a printer.

Burrell said he will continue to support needy parishes because that is where his "hard earned cash" should go.

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