Ian Allen - Boys' Town's Nicholas McMorris (left) attempts to sheild the ball from Montego Bay United's Ronaldo Rodney during their teams' Red Stripe Premier match yesterday at Collie Smith Drive. The game ended 2-2.

File - Former national coach Theodore Whitmore struts his stuff for Seba.

The return of the name Seba, albeit Seba FC and not Seba United, to the football circuit in western Jamaica is seemingly poised to bring back nostalgia for some, while opening old wounds for others, especially as those who had objected when businessman Orville Powell acquired the old Seba United franchise and rebranded the team Montego Bay United FC (MBUFC).

At the time Powell rebranded the team MBUFC, residents of the North, Gully area of Montego Bay, where the team was founded in 1972, took him to task, arguing that the name was sacred to them and that changing it was tantamount to trampling on the legacy of those who had toiled to make the team two-time national champions.

However, with a vision totally different from those of his detractors, Powell refused to back down, hanging on to the belief that the new name would give the team an instant advantage, as with Montego Bay being arguably one of the premier tourist destinations in the Caribbean, the team would benefit by name association.

Initially, I was one of those who opposed the name change for the simple reason that as a student of history, I believe that as the first rural team to be crowned Jamaica national champions, the name Seba United should have been preserved.

However, having seen Powell's great vision for MBUFC becoming a reality, I have changed my stance and I am now throwing my support behind the team.

While I am not telling the residents of North Gully to drop their long-standing resentment for MBUFC and fall in line with those of us who have been converted by Powell's vision to transform the club under a new brand, I believe if they truly love football, they should at least have an appreciation for the fantastic structure MBUFC has become.

From a sentimental point of view, especially for the founding members of Seba United who are still around, I can't honestly say I am opposed to them wanting to resurrect a name that gave their inner-city community national recognition on account of the titles won and national players produced. However, whatever they do should enhance, not tarnish, the name.

Whether Seba will be successful in their bid to acquire the history of Seba United, which was claimed by MBUFC as part of their acquisition of the club, it is my hope that the name will once again evoke greatness and will be a symbol of pride for the many stars who emerged from North Gully between 1972 and 2010.

In reflecting on the bitterness that surfaced following the name change from Seba United to MBUFC, it is my hope that the anger has now sufficiently subsided for both entities to co-exist in a civilised way. I know it will be difficult, but if promoting good football is the objective on both sides, I think it can work.

As I stated above, MBUFC has been a credit to Jamaica's football. In terms of infrastructure, it is easily one of the top clubs in Jamaica, with a majestic sports complex that includes multiple playing fields, living quarters, a modern gymnasium, and a programme catering to all age groups (male and female) that is second to none.

From a personal perspective, I would like to see MBUFC emerge as this year's Red Stripe Premier League champions because in so doing, the club will be able to claim complete success under the new brand. In fact, if they should keeping building their infrastructure and winning titles at the same time, the new entity would in time have its own legacy, independent of what they acquired from Seba United.

While, I am fairly optimistic that the two Sebas, the rebranded MBUFC, and the new Seba FC can co-exist and in the process help to pull St James football back on to the national radar in a big way, I must also admit that I am a little bit wary of those who remain bitter against MBUFc because the aim should not be to have 'two bulls' of opposing views in the same pen.

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