‘Something is not right’

THE RESIGNATION of Professional Jamaica Football Limited (PFJL) CEO Owen Hill has sent shockwaves across the local football fraternity, with some JPL clubs calling it a “big blow” and a “sad day” for Jamaican football.

Hill’s resignation follows on the heels of the departure of former Chairman Christopher Williams, who announced his resignation in June, and which takes effect on September 1.

Treasure Beach president Paul Bernard said any organisation losing two of its top executives in the space of three months would be devastated by such a loss.

“It is a big blow to the football fraternity. He (Hill) adds value to local football. He knows the business of football. He knows football, and from what I’ve seen and heard, he is a businessman.

“It’s a big blow to football, knowing that Mr (Christopher) Williams would have resigned two months ago, and now his second in charge is gone, too.

“If you lose your president and your vice-president in two months, it would be a big blow to any organisation. This is a sign that something is definitely wrong with the football in Jamaica. Something is wrong. People are resigning left, right, and centre,” he commented.

Bernard also believes Hill’s resignation could have a damaging effect on sponsors and potential sponsors moving forward.

“It’s a big blow. It will have a domino effect from the top. From the JFF, to PFJL, right down to Treasure Beach and Spanish Town Police.

“Mr Hill is someone you can always call on his phone and speak to him. If he does not answer at the same time, he’ll call you back.

“He’s a person who drove to Treasure Beach to speak to us. Came to our matches and asked what are some of our issues. I’ve seen him do that. So it’s a big blow.

“He was the one leading the charge to get another entity to televise the matches. If he is going now, the new company they are trying to get, will they have the same faith and trust and confidence in the new person coming in?

“It definitely will affect it [sponsorship]. If I approach a businessman, I may get a different response from you. And Owen may be closer to some entities who are potential sponsors, and him going now, I am sure it will affect sponsorship,” he reasoned.

He added that change is inevitable but that this announcement from Hill was ill-timed.

“Change is a must. Change is inevitable in every organisation. But the time when it comes. The season just started two days ago and the CEO of the commercial arm is going, and the chairman went two months ago. Something is not right.

“The rightful thing to do is hurry up and get somebody who fits the criteria, who has the qualities. So hurry and fill the position,” he said.

Montego Bay United president Dr Germaine Spencer, who declared that he was giving his personal view and not that of the club, said “It is a sad day for Jamaican football” and hopes Hill reconsiders.

“Owen has clearly gone above and beyond his duties as CEO of PFJL. I really hope he reconsiders his decision in the next 30 days.”

In his resignation letter, Hill spoke of the opportunity to grow, suggesting that he was moving on to other ventures. But Spencer pointed out that his resignation may have stemmed from other deep-lying governance issues.

“I can honestly understand his frustration, and this is not from Montego Bay United. This is from me personally. The structure of the PFJL needs to change. You can’t have one body with 14 bosses. The 14 clubs.

“It is impossible to govern when you have tug-of-war left, right, and centre. It’s impossible. Just impossible,” he stated.

“I have sat in a few meetings, and I am telling you the entire structure needs to change. We can’t have 14 bosses going after one aim, which is marketing and managing the league, and the people don’t have the particular skill set to make those particular decisions.

“So I am sure it may have contributed to his frustration, that has led to his resignation. And with respect to him resigning, it’s a big loss to the league,” he stated.

Like Bernard, Spencer is of the belief that Hill’s resignation, following just behind Williams’, might be cause for concern among sponsors although he believes that the PFJL has laid a foundation on which to continue building the product.

“Christopher Williams and Owen Hill did a great job to bring value to the brand. Significant value to the brand. I believe it is still there, and that’s why other corporate entities are coming into the league, coming into sponsorship.

“I believe this 30-day period will be a testament to the work they have put in to find successors to continue on the path to improve the marketing arm.

“But sponsors will get value for their money. The show will go on. The only question is, will it grow in its present structure and leadership to come? I can’t answer that.

“But while they may resign. I am sure Chris Williams, the man he is, and Owen Hill, the man he is, will be able to be consulted and will, of course, assist the succession and transition of the new chairman and CEO. So I believe we should be fine,” he said.

One JPL club executive, who spoke on condition of anomity, said the announcement came at a very bad time and hoped Hills reconsiders his decision.

“It’s a loss. We haven’t really met as a board to see how we move forward with this one. But it will be a loss, especially at this time.

“I don’t think we want to lose him right now at the start of the season, when we are getting everything together. I hope we can convince him otherwise,” he commented.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com