Reno cleared for Tier II start

Reno Football Club has been granted permission to participate in the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Tier II competition following an emergency meeting with the Westmoreland Football Association (WFA) on Thursday. The competition kicks off today with seven games.

The club and the association had been at loggerheads after the current Reno executive, led by president Wendell Downswell, moved to have the official name adjusted from Reno Football Sports and Community Club Limited to just FC Reno.

Both Downswell and WFA president, Everton Tomlinson, did not offer much on the matter, however. Tomlinson said yesterday the full details of the meeting will be revealed in a press release shortly.

Nevertheless, he declared that pending the finalisation of documentation Reno were cleared to compete in the Tier II competition in the original name.

“We have done what we needed to do. We have resolved it and Reno will be playing as Reno Football Sports and Community Club Limited in the Tier II.

“That is their original name and so the original name will be used. There are certain things that we will not release until later. But that was one of the main issues as they wanted to play as FC Reno,” Tomlinson said, “We have been doing business with the original name. So it is the original name and original affiliates that will represent the parish.”

Tomlinson, a former Reno player, said despite the grievances between his administration and the club, the FA has always supported the club and that the association is more than willing to help them reclaim their place in top-flight domestic football.

“We want Reno to return to the original days, and as a parish association we want to work with the entire Reno fraternity home or abroad, so Reno remain purposeful and can get the support of the entire parish.

“We can work together for the better and I think this is a step in the right direction. We hope Reno will get back to the top because it means everything to the parish.

“Once Reno do well the parish will do well. I think we are getting it right and we look for great things ahead,” he said.

Downswell said it was a cordial meeting and the focus now is on making a return to the Premier League.

“Mr Tomlinson gave us the go ahead and we are happy we will be participating in the league.

“We are working towards getting back into the Premier League and preparations have been good,” he said.

Reno play their opening game against Treasure Beach at the Llandilo Sports Complex at 3:30 p.m. and Downswell added that after about seven weeks of training, expectations are high.

“We don’t know what it’s like in the league. We have quality players, but we do not know what the other teams possess. We have not played for the last four years, so we just prepared the players that we have and we will see what transpires.

“But we are hell-bent on getting back in the Jamaica Premier League and we expect to be competitive this year,” he stated.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Today’s games

Reno vs Treasure Beach at Llandilo Sports Complex at 3:30 p.m.

Brown’s Town vs Baptiste Alliance at Drax Hall at 3:30 p.m.

Racing vs Downs at Prison Oval at 3:30 p.m.

Wadada vs Tru Juice at Irwin Iigh School at 3:30 p.m.

Hopewell vs Lime Hall at Orchid Sports Complex at 3:30 p.m.

Portlanders vs Meadforest at Lynch Park at 3:30 p.m.

Albion Mountain vs Falmouth FC at St Mary Sports Complex at 3:30 p.m.