Western Bureau:

In checking various sources for the meaning of the word 'lunacy', I came up with the following terminologies, "foolishness, madness, folly, stupidity, absurdity, aberration, idiocy, craziness, tomfoolery, imbecility, foolhardiness and senselessness." In my opinion, any or all of the above stated words would be an accurate, if not fair, description of the now aborted plans by a group of western Jamaica investor to change the name of the western city's most illustrious football club from Seba United to Montego Bay United.

Besides what I would call recklessness in suggesting that a change of name would make the club more marketable, I am simply appalled by the fact that anyone with even a vague knowledge of Seba United's rich history could seriously contemplate erasing such a symbol of pride from Montego Bay's sporting landscape.

wonderful legacy

It therefore came as no surprise to me that, many Montegonians, both supporters and non-supporters of Seba United, were hopping mad when the plan became public. In fact, I am pleased that so many people came out in defence of the club's name and its wonderful legacy, which was under threat.

For the foundation members of the club, which the late Dennis Barton, Samuel Wilkinson, Neville Campbell, Wayne Spence and Weston King founded on June 12, 1972, the name Seba, which was taken from Isaiah 43:3, carries more than sentimental value, they treat it as their birthright.

It is no wonder one long-standing member of the club told me earlier this week that changing Seba United's name would not only be tampering with history but would be as sacrilegious as the persons who have been disturbing the dead in the May Pen Cemetery in search of gold and other valuables.

While a lot of Montegonians have been heaping blame on Seba United's chairman Bruce Gaynor for what they are describing as a 'selling out' of the club, I must admit that I feel a bit of sympathy for him. Gaynor, who is also a vice-president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), has almost been single-handedly carrying the burden of the club for a long time, and I can understand his desire to get some help.

respect for history

It is just a pity that in negotiation with the investors Gaynor did not insist that one of the conditions of the arrangement was that the club's name remains unchanged. In fact, I believe if the new owners have any respect for history and tradition, I think buying the name would be just as important as buying a way into the Premier League.

When new clubs are formed, one of their fundamental mandates is usually to build a name and a good reputation as fast a possible, because as any smart investor would know, a good name is a passport to recognition. Therefore, trading in an established name like Seba United for some unknown name would not be beneficial.

I am happy that the investors have bowed to public pressure and have backed off tampering with the name Seba United, because in doing so, the destruction of one of Montego Bay's historic landmark has been averted. I hope the public protest has taught the investors that while money can buy many things, it cannot buy respect.

If the investors decide to walk away from the club because of the name change issue, I believe other persons could join forces to keep the dream of Barton and the other founders alive.

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