MARC STAMP, STAR Writer

August Town hope that peace will prevail in the east St Andrew community in order for them to sustain a place in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) after gaining promotion for the third time in the club's history.

The club first made it to the national league in 2006 and placed sixth at the end of the season. Then was relegated back to the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Super League in 2008. Two years later, August Town returned to the nation's top flight, but only lasted one season.

Now after winning the KSAFA league again, August Town finished second in the JFF All-Island Confederation play-off, behind Rivoli United, and both teams were promoted to next season's RSPL.

"Right now, the community is at peace, so as long as there is no war this would help to keep the club in the top flight," August Town's president Kenneth Wilson told Star Sports when contacted yesterday.

"The immediate plan going forward is to get more sponsors on board, as well as to get more community people involved in the club. Sizzla Kalonji may come on board. He came in during the Super League and hopeful he will stay on board," Wilson said.

Looking forward, the president pointed out that they will be making every effort to make the community aware of the importance of their support for the club by paying at home games.

"We want to get the fans to pay at home games. The mindset of most of them is that they don't need to pay at the gate whenever we have home matches. They will pay away, but refuse to pay at home. This is a serious situation," Wilson said.

"Well, improving the structure of the club will be a process. We will be meeting in the coming week to discuss plans for the premier league season," he added.

With regard to the players, especially the ageing players, who played a key part in the team winning the Super League and then promotion to top flight football, Wilson said:

"The technical committee will be meeting soon to decide who we will need. Already, a number of players have contacted us," he added.

Coach Christopher Bender, who guided the club back to the top flight, is unsure as to whether he would be back for the premier league.

"It would be a tough task to get this team to perform in the Premier League, and I am not sure if I will be the one to guide them," Bender said, following the club's 1-0 win against Volvo on Sunday that cemented their spot in the RSPL.