Larry Mussenden withstood a strong challenge from Mark Trott last night to retain the presidency of the Bermuda Football Association by the slimmest of margins.

Just as many had predicted all along, the incumbent narrowly defeated his rival by a slim 11- 10 vote in the secret ballot at the Police Recreation Club in what was the closest race for the top post since 2000.

While there was jubilation in Mussenden's camp, for Trott, it was the second time the former national coach had been narrowly defeated at the polls - Trott also lost by a one vote margin in 2000 to Neville Tyrell.

Shortly after the night's proceedings - spanning just under four hours in total - Mussenden appeared relieved to have finally beaten off a spirited challenge by Trott who had gathered the solid backing of a group of former BFA executives.

“Firstly, I would like to thank the affiliates for their support,” he said as affiliates slowly filed out of the auditorium.

“I believe they have looked at my record and all of the success we have had over the years and they recognised that continuity is certainly a plus. And in going forward they would like for us to continue working together with the new executive.

“With the new members I think we have an exciting group of people and I think that football will go from strength to strength and we are looking forward to getting started as soon as possible.”

Mussenden said he wasn't surprised to see the actual voting process go right down to the wire.

“I thought I had all 21 votes,” he smiled. “But clearly I didn't. Nevertheless I am grateful for the votes that I did receive. I never took anything for granted. . . I have never taken the affiliates for granted and I now look forward to working hard with all of them.

“Football, the corporate community and the Government can feel assured that we have been through the democratic process here tonight and that people have had their chance to speak and to exercise their rights to vote and to select a leader. And on that basis we have a mandate to do the work for football.”

Like his victorious rival, Trott agreed democracy had prevailed.

“I can say that I am a bit disappointed,” he lamented. “But at the end of the day what I was pleased by was that the democratic process took place. “Dr.Bean (Dr.Gerard Bean) got up as a retiring officer in the best interests of football and used all of his wisdom stating how the process was all about inclusion.”

Just prior to the night's elections, Trott's eligibility to run for the presidency had been challenged though a later review of the association's constitution clearly allowed the challenger to run under existing rules related to retiring officers.

Trott added: “I am prepared to work alongside him (Mussenden) and he hasn't stopped giving me responsibility. And I think that's credit to him as a leader in that he still has enough confidence to allow such a night to take place and to have a challenge from myself and still not hold it personally. “And at the end of the day we still have to ensure that football comes out on top.

“So the clubs spoke and Mr.Mussenden won 11-10 and so really I can't complain. The clubs spoke and Mr.Mussenden knows he will have my support.”

In a meeting staged immediately before the AGM, affiliates were also provided with an update of financial reports from the previous two years with three Government auditors present.

In the night's other remaining elections for office, BFA second vice-president Gregory Grimes ran unopposed to retain his position on the association's executive, while former administrator Ellsworth Christopher, Cal Blankendal , Saidha Wainwright and Lee DeRosa Holder were brought onboard as club representatives and will now serve as an outer wing of the BFA's top executive.