Ricketts ready to celebrate

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) presidential candidate, Michael Ricketts, said he had a fruitful meeting with the St Mary Football Association on Monday and is 'hopeful' he can wrestle that vote away from his opposing candidate, Ambassador Stewart Stephenson, just three days before Saturday's presidential elections.

Ricketts told The Gleaner the eight parishes FAs (Clarendon, Westmoreland, St James, Hanover, St Elizabeth, Manchester, Trelawny and Portland) that nominated him have continued to show their support and even though he smells victory, he's wary as elections can be unpredictable.

Intense discussions

"I had intense discussions with St Mary and I am hopeful after I met with them. The response was good. I have not got a commitment that they will vote for me ... but I am getting a very positive response from St Mary," he said.

And even though he is virtually assured of the majority vote based on the commitments thus far, he is not resting on his laurels as he knows how quickly things can turn in an election.

"This is an election and because a particular parish nominated you does not mean they are going to vote for you. People can move across from either side at anytime. But I have had no indication from any of my supporters that they are dissatisfied with anything, or that they have been persuaded by the other side.

"But I am still careful because a nomination is not a vote. I still think I have my eight (votes) and if I do keep the eight I will be victorious.

But I am (also) looking to get St Mary ... So I hope I will be able to convince the (St Mary) executive members to shift from 'Stewy'," he revealed.

The Clarendon FA president added that the James Pearson-led St Mary FA and Clarendon FA face similar football challenges and believes that as a result they should be allies because of commonality.

"Ambassador (Stephenson) also met with them (St Mary FA), but based on the feed back I thought I came across well to them, because St Mary and Clarendon face similar challenges.

I know what the issues are and I know how to get them fixed, so because we have the same issues. I hope I would have been able to convince them," he reasoned.