DESPITE what many believe to be a shocking resignation, outgoing Chairman Chris Williams says he still wants to be involved with the Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL) in another capacity, and has denied any falling out with the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) clubs.

The noted financial executive and co-founder of Proven Financial Group will end his five-year stint as chairman of the PFJL in August, after resigning from the board recently.

Just three months ago, Williams’ tenure as president was extended by an additional three years, following his election by the club’s majority vote at PFJL’s annual general meeting (AGM).

However, Williams told the Jamaica Observer that his business and family life need to be prioritised.

“This is just life. Life just happens and we have to adjust and keep moving because life happens; and my circumstances have changed so I have to make some adjustments,” he said.

“The clubs have appreciated it and understood so we’re just trying as a team to make that little adjustment so that everybody can still keep moving.”

The Observer has learnt that the leadership of some JPL clubs were unhappy with Williams, which led to a fiery AGM in March.

Williams, though, denied that it was a decisive factor in his imminent departure.

“It was extremely disappointing for all kinds of innuendos, false truths and all kinds of onslaughts. It was just unfortunate. I’m definitely not used to that in the straight business world but no, we passed that,” he said.

“We hear it, I don’t know where it comes from, but I think we’re past that. I’m the chairman, I was re-elected for three more years, so that’s gone. We nah discuss that again — that was March, now we in June so that’s gone.”

Williams believes he’s led the PFJL on the path to success and hopes to see it continue in the years to come.

“[I] give this every single, solitary ounce of my being. It’s been an amazing journey and I love this role. I believe in the PFJL, I believe in the Jamaica Premier League. I think it is the way to go,” he said.

“The sponsorship is fairly constant The gate and the management — which is even more important — is definitely better. Broadcast, we’re working on [that] so we’re pretty close to stable. The next step is to make us extraordinary, and I would like to keep that. I don’t want to give up that step.”

Though moving on as chairman, Williams wants to shift into a different position at the PFJL, stating he has major plans for the clubs to earn more.

“I want to step away from the chairman role — not from the PFJL — so that’s the distinction. I want to stay in the PFJL but [I want to do so] as an ambassador and focus on special projects; and I don’t want to talk about them [as yet] but I have told the board specifically the three things I want to focus on, which would double our revenue,” he said.

With the search for a new chairman underway Williams is optimistic the PFJL’s high standards will remain.

“The model is there, we just have to press repeat and have a disciplined execution; detailed and disciplined,” he said.

“Nothing lasts forever so we have to adjust, keep moving, and we’re doing that. We have three months to make the transition to the new chairman and also to hopefully transition me to the ambassador, and we keep moving. The work never stops; we keep moving.”