Burrell

Western Bureau:

Jamaica Football Fede-ration (JFF) president, Captain Horace Burrell, has issued a call for unity within the ranks of western Jamaica's football, saying rancour will only do further damage to the declining fortunes of the game in the region and its bid to return to a position of pride.

Speaking at Tuesday's launch of the 19th renewal of the St James Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS) Under-13 football competition, the JFF boss said western Jamaica football is crucial to the future of national football and that he wants to see a unified effort being taken in the rebuilding process.

"I have been reading the bickering in the media, between individuals in the fraternity, and it is not good for football," said Captain Burrell. "What I want to see is a meeting of the minds and the settling of differences so that we can move forward successfully."

In regards to the VMBS competition, Captain Burrell told the participating teams that it would take discipline and hard work to emulate those players who have graduated from this competition and have moved on to represent Jamaica with distinction.

Four zones

A total of 27 teams divided into four zones will contest this year's competition, which remains the premier nursery for junior football in Montego Bay.

The breakdown of prizes reads as follows: First place - VMBS Trophy and $24,000; second - $19,000; third - $14,000; fourth - $10,000; top goal-scorer - Golden Boot and $3,000; and top coach - $16,000.

Jeanne Robinson-Foster, VMBS director, said her company remains fully committed to the competition and expressed pleasure at the fact that the competition has produced players, like national goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, who have gone on to represent Jamaica with distinction.

"We remain committed to supporting this competition as we have seen the positive impact it has had over these last 19 years," said Robinson-Foster. "This competition has been making stars over the years and our hope is to continue making more stars."

The 27 teams and their respective zones are as follows: Zone A - Mount Salem, Anchovy, Roehampton, Barracks Road, Irwin and Supreme Preparatory; Zone B - Chetwood, Mount Alvernia Preparatory, Salt Spring, Lottery, Cambridge, Howard Cooke and Glendevon; Zone C - Albion, Granville, Buckingham, Eber Preparatory, Lethe, Green Pond and Catherine Hall; Zone D - Corinaldi, Team Work, St James Preparatory, Flankers, Farm, Somerton and Heinz Simonitch.