Former national player slams JFF at Brown’s funeral

Former national player and past Jamaica Past Football Players Association (JPFPA) vice-president Michael Tulloch launched a scathing attack on Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Michael Ricketts, who was in attendance at Frank Brown’s funeral service at Excelsior High School last Friday.

Tulloch accused the JFF boss of paying scant attention to past players who have fallen on hard times and have contributed immensely to the nation’s football and even called Ricketts’ tribute to the late Brown “empty words”.

Ricketts, in a tribute to the former national captain and coach, said he was a legend of the local game and pointed out that the nation should be grateful for his unwavering service to sports and young people.

“He won the Manning and daCosta Cup. These are no ordinary achievements. And in those days, you were just giving with nothing in return. We just have to be very grateful and respectful for someone like Frank.

“Frank must go down as one of the legends of modern-day football, and we must be grateful for the impact he would have had on our youngsters,” Ricketts said.

He added that whether it be baseball, football, or cricket, he had a positive impact on the lives of many boys and girls.

“These are the people who we are looking for, who really have the interest of our boys and girls,” Ricketts said.

However, Tulloch, in his address, did not hold back as he accused Ricketts and the JFF of doing nothing to assist the then ailing Brown and that it pained him to hear his words.

“It hurts to see these icons going to the next realm without any appreciation or respect from the relevant authorities that run football.

“I hear people coming up and saying certain things, but despite what they are saying, they haven’t done anything at all for any of the players and those who have contributed so much to our football. Empty words are what he just spoke a while ago,” Tulloch said of Ricketts’ tribute.

“You have known Frank Brown for so long, and you are the president of the JFF. Frank Brown had done so much and had been ill for so long, and you haven’t reached out to him in any way and now you are coming here to talk about Frank Brown this and that. It hurts my heart.

“My heart is paining me to hear what is being said by people when they haven’t done anything,” he ranted.

“But today, I want to honour the most honourable, Sir Frank Brown,” he concluded.

Ricketts labelled Tulloch’s comments as unfortunate, noting that the JFF has an established relationship with the past players association and its president (Neville Oxford), with whom he had regular conversations and updates on Brown.

He added that his administration more than any other has supported the past players’ cause and was instrumental in the formation of their association in 2022.

“This JFF has shown more to our past players more than any other. We try as best as possible to reach out to our past players, and we have been very instrumental in them forming themselves into an official group.

“So the comments from Mr Tulloch are unfortunate. The JFF can only do so much and no more. But we will never disregard the contribution of our past players, and we are intent on ensuring we have a relationship with our past players,” he told The Gleaner.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com