Montego Bay United changes ownership

Orville Powell, who for the last 23 years has been the owner of Seba United before it became Montego Bay United, has passed the reigns of the organisation over to new management.

Montego Bay United will now be run by the partnership of Yoni Epstein, Chairman of Itel BPO, and Dr Germaine Spencer, owner of Baywest Wellness Clinic.

Epstein is now the club's chairman, while Dr Spencer will now serve as its president.

The announcement was made during a press conference at Wespow Park in Montego Bay earlier this morning.

Speaking with The Gleaner, Epstein, new chairman of Montego Bay United Football Club says he is not shying away from the struggles facing the former Jamaica Premier League champions.

"In the business of football, there comes opportunities that take a level of investment to get you back to where you were. That is the commitment that you have to invest in the youth in order to get the club back to being champions and more competitive in this season and seasons to come. The proudest moment for me is the amount of people that have come out from corporate Jamaica and specifically Montego Bay to support this club. There is no doubt about it, we are not just focusing on football but the business of football,” Epstein explained.

“I want to acknowledge Orville on his vision of this team. While Pow may be stepping out of one seat, he steps into another where what I haven’t learnt in football yet, he’s forgotten. He has to be there to support us through all of this,” said Epstein.

Orville Powell, former owner of Montego Bay United Football Club, said this was the right decision.

“For us to grow, we have to make a change. Continue to believe that life is like a relay and while a lot will go to the grave with the baton, I think it is most important to pass that baton and continue to be a part of the race, continue to see the glory of that race and that has always been my intention, passing the baton and being a part of the race. It has been 12 years now and I am convinced that I have made the right decision for the future. Today it’s no sadness, it is realising a dream that I think will need continuity to go to the greater parts that I, myself, may not have taken it.

“I hope the beacon that shined so bright through SEBA United will continue to shine endlessly through Montego Bay United.”

Previously called Beacon, then SEBA United before it became Montego Bay United F.C., the club has been in existence for 51 years.

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