PHC Zebras defender Jonathan Ball has taken the helm at the Premier Division side after ousting long-serving president Chris Furbert at the club’s recent Annual General Meeting.

A regular for Zebras this season, Ball defeated Furbert, who has acted as the club’s president for more than a decade, 31-26 to win the election.

Ball, 28, was nominated for the position by members of the Warwick-based side and said he believed it was time for “the younger generation” to take the club forward.

But he also praised Furbert for his services to the club.

“I think people wanted a change of the guard persay, but what Mr Furbert did was incredible,” said the former Bermuda Hogges left back.

“I appreciate the work he put in, but it’s time for the younger generation at the club to share the burden and workload he took on to take the club to the next level.

“I never thought this would be me in this position but I want everyone associated with the club to know I will try my best to push the club in the right direction, a positive direction. This is an exciting time, not just for me, but the club as well and now the legwork begins to move forward.”

Furbert’s tenure was a tumultuous one, with many questioning his running of the club late in his presidency, including PHC legend Earl (Townsey) Russell who blamed the club’s poor financial state on the club’s executives.

Ball said he planned for the club to return to playing matches at Stadium Lane, the club’s home ground, and hoped to see a clubhouse built at the venue in the near future.

PHC, who are coached by Mark Wade, currently use Southampton Oval as their home venue.

“Now that the voting is over, I’m very hopeful that we can get Stadium Lane utilised for both football and cricket matches in the near future, and this will come about with our fundraising schemes and things of that nature,” Ball said.

“In the long-term, we want to return home and build our clubhouse which has been discussed for quite some time now.

“There is work to be done and we are going to need everyone associated with the club to help make this a reality.

“When I meet with the committee we will also include the club’s members before laying out a plan to move forward.”

Members of the club can contact the new PHC president at jonathon.ball06@gmail.com.

Furbert was unable to be reached for comment yesterday.