Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

Captain Horace Burrell (left), CEO of Captain's Bakery Ltd., hands over footballs to Michael Ricketts, president of the Clarendon Football Association during the launch of the Captain's Bakery Ltd. CFA Major League 2006/07 competition yesterday at the Versalles Hotel in May Pen. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Former president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Captain Horace Burrell, is now a member of the Clarendon Football Association (CFA).

Burrell accepted the invitation from the CFA at yesterday's launch of the Captain's Bakery Major League held at the Versalles Hotel in May Pen.

Captain's Burrell's decision to join his parish ranks is seen as a move to secure his position as a presidential candidate of the JFF, which met yesterday to review its constitution.

Revising statutes

Burchell Gibson, the JFF's general secretary, told The Gleaner yesterday that his organisation is revising the entire statutes to fall in line with FIFA regulations and only its affiliates will be able to serve on football bodies.

Said Gibson: "Some years ago, you could walk off the road and pick up a post in the football organisation. Just like any organisation or reputable body, you just can't walk off the road and become a member. There are certain criteria that must be laid down."

Recently, Captain Burrell held no such post, but quickly accepted the invitation from CFA after one of its executive members, referee, Kevin Morrison, resigned in light of FIFA's new regulation which stated that no referee should be part of any other football organisation.

In giving the main address, Captain Burrell, who was born in Clarendon and attended Clarendon College, said he accepted the post because of his genuine love for the sport.

"I love football and when Clarendon came to me it didn't take me long to decide that I would serve and this will give me the opportunity to do so," said Captain Burrell.

"I will be working with their executive to make their adminis-tration the strongest in the country with the level of experience that I have gained," he added.

Clarendon is one of several parishes that remained loyal to the former president and Michael Rickett, its president, said: "Once the vacancy existed, we had to look for someone of standing and Captain Burrell's name came up."

Burrell's Captain Bakery has increased its sponsorship of the Clarendon Major League by 50 per cent to $1.5 million of which $150,000 will go to the winning team.

The 12-team competition, which kicks off on January 7, will be played under a league format with a mid-season final in which the winner will pocket $40,000. Humble Lions are the defending champion.