Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

Wendell Downswell - file

THREE MILLION DOLLARS is all Wendell Downswell needs and he'll make Reno FC walk away with the Wray and Nephew National Premier League title this season.

"If we get $3 million right now, I can guarantee you that we will win the league," Downswell told STAR Sports in an interview yesterday.

"We are appealing to corporate Jamaica because the adversities that we are faced with and the results that we have got, just imagine if we had sponsors like some of the better clubs what we would have done," argued Downswell, Jamaica's former technical director.

Comfort zone

Reno, winners in 1990, 1991 and 1995, have surged dangerously into second spot on 25 points in the current campaign, only four points behind champions Waterhouse.

"The players truly deserve it. That is why we are so confident based on the programme that we have here," noted Downswell.

"What that (sponsorship) would have done is put us in a comfort zone. Right now the revenue that we get is just coming from the gate and that has to run the whole programme in terms of transportation, meal, medical bills and other things.

"If we can get a cushion for the next two or three months because our salaries are between $480,000 to $500,000 a month," said Downswell.

According to Downswell, himself a Reno legend and former national player, it is very difficult to compete with the bigger clubs without support.

"We are appealing for support from corporate Jamaica and the major conglomerates in Westmoreland. We are appealing to them to lend some support to the club and I can guarantee that once we get the cushion to provide salaries for the next two -three months, we will win the league," he reiterated. "With this money, we could offer incentives to the players with motivational packages."

Reno have changed their long-standing home ground from Frome in Westmoreland to St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) amid the disappointment of some supporters.

But Downswell has no regrets at the moment, especially after rattling up a series of impressive performances.

To date, Reno have claimed the scalps of Harbour View, Village and Naggo Head while holding Waterhouse and Portmore United to a draw at the Santa Cruz school venue.

"People will look at it as a bit farfetched when we decided to switch, but based on what has transpired, right now it is a positive move that we have made.

We have found ourselves in second position and we have not done this in many, many moons," he explained.

"Right now we are pretty satisfied and there is no need to rush back and change.

Frome is in no condition to play no matter what you hear people saying.

"When the teams come there they start complaining and if it rains at Frome, that's it. When it rains at STETHS, the game still goes on, nobody complaining. the atmosphere the ambience suits our players and they can express themselves more."