NEWLY appointed general secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Raymond Grant said he was “not totally surprised” when he got the call to take the administrative reins of an organisation burdened by a huge debt said to be over $100 million.

The Portland native, in a Jamaica Observer exclusive yesterday, said his desire to serve football and his panoramic exposure have served well in preparing him for higher service, therefore, he knew he would be ready whenever the trumpet sounded.

“I wouldn’t say that I was totally surprised, I will always relish any opportunity to serve football, and if you so gear your mind of serving administratively, so naturally you would look to serving at the highest level,” he said from the office chair once occupied by his revered predecessor, Horace Reid.

Grant, who has served the board of the JFF for 12 years in various capacities and was long being groomed for future and more critical service, said when he was approached by the president, Captain Horace Burrell, he had not known that there was a vacancy.

“I did not play any cards in advancing my cause (for the job) because up to the time that I was approached, it didn’t dawn on me that there was in fact a vacancy, so that was the only surprise at the time,” said the 36-year-old engineer.

Grant said he is aware he will be continuously judged by the standards of the iconic Reid who has a new job as CONCACAF’s competitions director, but said he is determined with the help of his team to chart his own course as the federation looks to Brazil 2014 and beyond.

“First of all, I am not placing myself in any position to compete or put myself under any pressure to fill the shoes of Horace Reid… you may recall that Horace has mastered this position having been close to it for nearly two decades and therefore I know that it will be a challenge for me from day one, but I will bring my own brand of organisation to the position and my level of competence,” said the soft-spoken graduate of the University of Technology.

“I am here to continue moulding the staff as I believe it’s an excellent staff; a very committed one and one which I am committed to work with for the greater good of the sport,” noted Grant, the holder of a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering and management.

The former Portland FA president and chairman of the Eastern Confederation conceded that Reid, who he deemed an “idol of mine”, imparted many valuable lessons that will stay with him as he steers the ship forward.

“Horace Reid has imparted many disciplines as they relate to organisation… the level of planning, the followthrough process and delegating (responsibility), to name a few, which are all key elements of organisation in achieving the desired results,” said Grant, who had resigned his position on the board and his vice-chairmanship of the Technical and Development Committee to make way for his new appointment.

With less than a month in the post where he hit the ground running and with the day-to-day struggles to keep the organisation functioning, Grant said were it not for the unwavering support from a “dedicated” staff, the efforts would have been meaningless.

“I have no reason to believe otherwise (that the staff has embraced me) as I have received the full support of the staff. We have had our one-on-one discussions to ensure that between the staff — individually and collectively — we see eye-toeye… several meetings have been held as I continue the process to have dialogue, not only with the administrative staff, but with the technical staff also,” he explained.

Grant, who has acted as head of delegation on numerous occasions and at various levels of the teams, disclosed that he has no problems with the perceived authoritarian style of president Burrell, offering that they have worked well over the years and it’s a style that he believes is relevant in the scheme of things.

“I believe that the president’s leadership style, though not unique, is one that is required to deal with our current situation… you have to understand that the federation is split along the administrative and political line.

“One has to remember that he has to serve all in the best interest of the sport, and therefore it’s not prudent for him to use one style of management in carrying out his responsibility as the head of the organisation… one has to understand your leader and work and support the leader and that is exactly what I am prepared to do,” noted Grant, the deputy superintendent of the Portland Parish Council.

The Titchfield High graduate said he intends to repay the confidence the JFF boss and the board of directors has placed in him in taking over this awesome office at a crucial juncture when the Reggae Boyz look to qualify for another World Cup, having made it to the CONCACAF qualifying finals to kick off on February 6, next year.

“Going in any organisation, once you have the confidence of the leader and the person you report to, then I believe that’s the foundation you need in going forward, and that level of confidence being bestowed on me, not only by the president, but also the board of directors, it is something I truly embrace and going forward I intend to ensure that that level of confidence is not eroded,” Grant said in his smooth, calculated style.

Though he has taken up the mantle at the JFF in a substantive way, there is still an unresolved matter with his job at the Portland Parish Council, but it is highly expected to be settled by next month.

“The Federation, through its president, is in active discussion with government through the Ministry of Local Government to finalise on an arrangement for me, be it secondment or leave of absence… the final decision lies with government and the Parish Council Services Commission, so I await their instructions.

“I am expecting the Parish Council Services Commission and the ministry will close out on the arrangement by January,” Grant ended.