Cal Blankendal opted against re-election for his post as the Bermuda Football Association’s first vice-president.

Blankendal, who stepped down from his role at the BFA’s annual general meeting at Devonshire Recreation Club on Tuesday night, said that he believed it was the right time to move on after serving on the executive for more than ten years.

He was succeeded by Mark Wade, the BFA player development committee chairman, who ran unopposed for the vacant position.

Blankendal said that the BFA securing millions of dollars of Government funding and establishing the National Academy at BFA Field had been among the highlights of his tenure.

“I have no regrets,” said Blankendal, the former president of Western Stars Sports Club.

“I had a great time and learned a lot. Everything in life has a beginning and an end, and I have enjoyed the experience.

“But after ten years with the Association I felt the time was right to move on and give someone else who is eager and hungry, like I was when I came on board, a chance to serve.

“Hopefully they will put in as much time as I did, or even more.”

Also resigning from their post was Andrew Griffith, the BFA treasurer, who was succeeded by James Davis.

Blankendal, the CEO of the Bermuda Brazilian Football School, believes that violent behaviour at football matches is the biggest challenge the BFA currently face.

Last week a teenager was taken to hospital after a fight broke out close to BFA Field after a Player Development League game between BAA and St George’s, while five players were sent off during a violent mêlée after the final whistle of St George’s Premier Division game against Somerset Trojans at Wellington Oval last Sunday.

“The impact that the social issues have had on the sport has been very detrimental,” Blankendal said. “The violence deters people from actually coming out and supporting the game.”

Blankendal said that the violence among warring factions within the community had prevented some players from travelling to certain parts of the Island and discouraged people from becoming involved in the sport.

“We have lost a lot of talented young men who have had to leave the game or opted not to enter the game because of our social problems,” he said.

“Some of the best players can’t travel to the east or west for whatever reasons, and I think the quality of football will continue to deteriorate because players do not even feel comfortable playing at certain venues.

“You also have parents deciding not to involve their kids in football and there are a lot of other sports that young people gravitate to now, which is another challenge for the Association. I think football is at a crossroads right now. Many other sports don’t have the same issues that the BFA have to deal with on a weekly basis.”

Even though the BFA have gone to great lengths to curb anti-social behaviour at football matches and protect the integrity of the game, Blankendal feels that the onus is on spectators and players to conduct themselves in a more controlled manner

“I think the Association is doing everything they can with limited funding to address the social issues,” he added.

“But if an individual doesn’t make a decision to come to a game and respect everyone else at the ground then there’s not much more the BFA can do. We are still playing amateur football in Bermuda and I think that everyone should be able to mingle and enjoy themselves.”