Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau

In last week's column, which was published under the caption, 'Clean-up starts in St James football,' I stated that reports had surfaced that at least two board members are expected to have action taken against them in a move aimed at making the organisation more accountable.

While the board has not issued any statements to suggest any wrongdoing, following a marathon board meeting on Wednesday, board members Lilli-Mae Crawford and Tracey Reid, who have been responsible for the day to day running of the StJFA office as well as operating as league directors, had their services terminated.

And, while StJFA boss Texchus Nembhard did not give any details as to why Crawford and Reid were relieved of their duties, based on statements he made the previous day, when he angrily brought activities at the association's office to an abrupt halt, locking up the office and taking possession of the keys, it is clear that he was not pleased with the state of affairs at the office.

In taking the decision to bring the operations of the FA office to a halt on Wednesday, Nembhard stated that, "A lot of foolishness is happening in our football, and it must stop now." He further stated that he felt his authority as president was being undermined by members of his board.

In the absence of any evidence to suggest that either Crawford or Reid were implicated in the accountability probe carried out by vice-president Bryan Miller, as a consequence of a mandate given to him at last November's Annual General Meeting (AGM), I hope that they were not the subject of any unfair treatment.

By virtue of my own experience as a former board member, I know for a fact that because of the errant behaviour of some board members, the StJFA had become the subject of much ridicule as those individuals are seemingly quite comfortable operating fast and loose, with both the wishes of the affiliates and the terms and conditions of the FA's constitution.

Just last year, then president George Evans resigned following back-to-back episodes in which an unauthorised letter was sent to the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) misrepresenting the board's position was quickly followed by the reckless disregard of his instructions in regards to the use of the UDC playing field as a car park during the 2010 staging of Reggae Sumfest.

In recent times, many good persons have resigned from the StJFA because of the actions of board members who have exposed them to embarrassment. As a former board member, I have had personal knowledge of bitter verbal clashes at board meetings.

While I have no reason to rejoice at the firing of Crawford and Reid, especially since the reason for their dismissal has not been stated, I can't say that I am not happy that the StJFA has finally found itself in a position where the majority of the board members are committed to putting the wishes of the affiliates above all other concerns.

I hope the board's next move will be to rid itself of those members who have seemingly developed a stomach for impropriety and are unwilling to embrace change. St James football was once a source of great pride and every effort should be made to restore the association's once pristine image.

On behalf of those persons who have been clamouring for changes within the operation of the St James FA, I would like to congratulate president Nembhard and those board members who are committed to fixing the board's image. This is a fight that should not be given up.

Feel free to send your feedback to adrianfrater@hotmail.com