MONTEGO BAY, St James — Texchus Nembhard is the new president of the St James Football Association after edging Steve Bucknor by one vote, 42-41, at Monday’s Annual General Meeting held at the Montego Bay Cricket Club.

The counting of the votes that were done by secret ballot was close throughout and was tied at 41-all with one ballot remaining and there were loud cheers and applause when Nembhard’s name was called.

Eighty-five of the possible 104 delegates turned out for the voting that was directed by Sheridan Samuels, first vice-president of the Hanover Football Association and treasurer of the Western Confederation.

The former police officer and referee and now a member of the Jamaica Football Federation’s Referee Commission says his first order of business will be the restructure the administration of the FA as well as to ensure the game is not centralised in Montego Bay, but spread to all parts of the parish.

David Watt — who acted as president for three months after another acting president, George Evans, stepped down — was elected as first vice-president, beating Brian Miller, 27-16, in a vote-off.

Miller was elected unopposed as the second vice-president, while Bruce Gaynor was returned unopposed as general secretary.

Tracey Reid is the new assistant secretary and businessman Macklin Peterkin is the new treasurer. Both were unopposed.

Lilly-Mae Crawford, Joy Nelson, Gregory Daley, Tyrone Gordon, and Juraney Quarrey were elected as the five council members.

Nembhard, who served as treasurer in the previous administration, described his election to the top post as “a step up for me”, adding that he was expecting support from all of those who were elected.

“I hope that persons serving on the board will be prepared to start doing some work for football,” he stated.

While he said he was prepared to take decisive action when and where necessary, Nembhard said his board will be one of consensus.