KEN GORDON, the retired Trinidadian media boss, will be the new president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

Gordon is now a shoo-in for the top job of the embattled board as the Windward Islands have decided to back his bid. Speaking yesterday, Lennox John, president of the Windwards Board, said his organisation had thrown its support behind Gordon.

"We thought the candidates were all good candidates, but we have decided to support the Trinidad candidate," John said from St Vincent. "The candidate we were left with was the one we felt was in the best position to lead the board, from the corporate side.

"He (Gordon) is well respected and he has great corporate skills. What the board needs now is someone who can lead and guide. We need leadership now. Also, as we look down the road to the World Cup (in 2007), leadership will be vital."

Gordon was nominated by his native Trinidad after Barbadian Teddy Griffith stepped down from the hot seat last month citing personal and family reasons for his withdrawal. Griffith took over in September 2003 after Wes Hall, the former West Indies fast bowling legend, left the post.

The other candidate in the race was Clive Lloyd, the legendary former West Indies captain, who was proposed by his native Guyana.

The Leeward Islands backed Gordon's bid and on Tuesday Jamaica said they too would be supporting Gordon. This left Barbados and the Windwards as the two spoilers, and as the Windwards have gone with Gordon, Barbados' vote does not matter.

"We were seeking a position where we would not have a bitter battle for the positions," John said. "We were hoping to avoid any wranglings.

"We (Windwards) have been talking about the vote for some time now and all the members decided to back Gordon. We were satisfied he would offer the right kind of leadership."

The new president will be named at the WICB's annual general meeting in St Maarten on August 6 and 7.

* philipspooner@nationnews.com