THE Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Captain Horace Burrell is adamant the franchise club system is the way to go, despite calls of concern and even cries of objection in some quarters regarding the mode of its implementation.

In early May, the JFF had proposed that sweeping changes are on the horizon for local club football, particularly a revamped Premier League — the nations top-flight competition — by the 2015-16 season.

Since the announcement, some stakeholders, including the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), have demanded that there be discussions to shed light on how the concept will be realised.

Speaking on Wednesday as beer brewery Red Stripe announced a new five-year partnership with the Premier League, Burrell was firm in reiterating that the franchise football system will not be derailed.

“The Jamaica Football Federation is the elected body to see to the development and proper running of football in the country and we will do just that,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“People will always have dissenting voices. Whenever there are to be changes in any aspect of life there is going to be resistance. We know what our tasks are and we know our responsibilities as well as our obligations.”

The JFF head, however insisted that the appointed franchise committee will continue talks with all vested parties on the way forward.

“We are continuing to dialogue with the stakeholders. No stakeholder will be left out; the current clubs will have a say, those in the nook and cranny of Jamaica will have a say and the sponsors will have a say and I’m sure we will come up with the right formula and we’ll see tremendous improvement in our football,” he said.

Burrell added: “This new franchise system is generating a tremendous amount of interest. When this is all over, I believe it is going to have a significant effect on the overall development of the country.

“It’s going to be like a business so we can expect better playing surfaces, proper lighting, better facilities and overall improved infrastructure. And of course, those investing will require return on investments.”

At the awards presentation for the 2013-14 season in late May, former Prime Minister Edward Seaga, the chairman of both the PLCA and the Professional Footballers Association of Jamaica, said he was not averse to changes to the Premier League, but said the franchise proposal was one which required wholesome discussions.

The proposal for the Premier League is to transform the current 12-team club competition into a tournament consisting of 10 franchises.

The changes proposed by the JFF are said to be aimed at improving the under-resourced football structure in Jamaica and also includes the establishment of a second-tier national competition.

According to the JFF, they are also looking to strengthen female football by requiring all parish associations to have at least one women’s competition.