Waterford F.C.
| Waterford United crest | |||
| Full name | Waterford United Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Blues | ||
| Founded | 1930 (as Waterford) | ||
| Ground | Waterford Regional Sports Centre, Kilbarry, Waterford, Ireland | ||
| Capacity | 3,100 seats | ||
| Chairman | Chris Everett and Micheal Drohan | ||
| Manager | Stephen Henderson | ||
| League | LOI First Division | ||
| 2008 | 4th | ||
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Waterford United (Template:Lang-ga) is an Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland.[1] The club was founded and elected to the league in 1930[2] and hails from Waterford. Originally the club was based at Kilcohan Park greyhound stadium, but have now moved to the Waterford Regional Sports Centre. Club colours are blue and white, and the club goes by the nicknames 'The Blues' or 'United'.
History
Waterford F.C. 1930-1982
Waterford first participated in the league in the 1930-1931 season finishing ninth and again from 1931-1932 before dropping out of the league for two seasons. Waterford re-entered the league in the 1935-1936 season along with Sligo Rovers. Waterford FC won the Shield in their first season.
Waterord won the FAI cup for the first time in their history in 1937 beating St. James Gate and also won the Shield.
The club were league runners up in 1937-1938 season and again in the 1940-1941 season. Both Waterford and League winners Cork United finished on equal points but Cork were awarded the title as Waterford were unable to compete in the play-off due to a dispute regarding payment to players. Waterford won the Shield again in the 1952-1953 season and were again runners-up in the League this time to St. Patricks Athletic in the 1954-1955 season and again in the 1962-1963 season.
The club eventually won the league title for the first time in the 1965-1966 season, setting a then league record of 13 straight league victories, and this was the beginning of a hugely successful spell for the club domestically. The following season they played in the preliminary round of the Champions cup against Vorwärts Berlin, an East German and Army side, losing 6-1 at Dalymount Park and 6-0 in East Berlin.
They won the Shield once again in 1968 -1969 season. Waterford won the league title three times in a row, in 1968,1969 and in 1970. The title was won by Cork Hibernians in 1971 but returned to Waterford in the 1971-1972 season and again in the 1972-1973 season.
The following season Waterford won the League of Ireland Cup, however failed to regain the league title. They won the FAI Cup in 1980 beating St. Patricks Athletic and this was the clubs final honour as Waterford F.C.
Waterford's success in the league brought European football playing against famous clubs such as Manchester United and Celtic.
Bobby Charlton had a brief spell at this club.
Waterford United 1982-Present
In 1982 the Club changed its name to Waterford United and Alfie Hale was appointed manager[citation needed]. In 1985 the league's membership rose to 22 clubs with the election of six new clubs in 1985. This resulted in the introduction of the present two Division (Premier and First) structure in 1985/86 of which Waterford was a member of the Premier Division. Waterford has had twenty four different managers since 1985, suffering relegation and promotion between both divisions Waterford were relegated to the First Division in the 1988-1989 season. Their stay there was short, gaining promotion and winning the First Division title the following season 1989-1990. They were unable to retain their Premier Division status the following season finishing in eleventh.
The club was promoted to the top flight in the 1991-1992 season finishing as runners up to Limerick. But again the club were unable to remain in the Premier Division for more than a single season suffering relegation on goal difference to Drogheda United.
Waterford United were promoted to the Premier Division, finishing top of the First Division in the 1997-1998 season and remained there until the 1999-2000 season suffering relegation by one point to Galway United. They were promoted to the Premier division again in the 2002-2003 season and have since remained there.
In 2006 Waterford United were relegated to the First Division. The F.A.I took over the running of the League of Ireland at the end of the 2006 season. Part of this takeover involved the assessment of all League of Ireland sides and the manner in which they were being run including finances, infrastructure, future plans, marketability and previous finishing positions since the 2002 season, ( this was due to Kildare County only joining the Eircom League in 2002). Despite finishing in 11th and last place ( Dublin City being the 12th team in the league and subsequently folding during the season) the club were forced to play a relegation/promotion playoff against Dundalk. Despite being defeated Waterford United still stood a chance of remaining a Premier Division side due to the FAI assessment. However on the 8th December 2006 the FAI decided to relegate Waterford to the 1st Division with Shamrock Rovers and Galway United replacing them and now defunct Dublin City. Dundalk, despite beating Waterford in a playoff were controversially overlooked and remain in the 1st Division. However on the 20th February it was announced that Waterford United had been invited to participate in the Premier Division for the forthcoming season. Club secretary Larry Gough stated "The club considered the proposal carefully and decided to accept the invitation in the best interests of football in Waterford and the eircom league".However, The "Blues" were unfortunetly relegated that season via the play-offs losing 6-3(0-3)(3-3) on aggregate to Finn Harps. After the dejection of relegation the "Blues" went into the 2008 season knowing that only one team from the First Division would be promoted and three from the Premier Division as the FAI look to revamp the league. A valiant effort from Cronins Blues saw them come so close yet so far as the "Blues" fell away towards the business end of the season leaving Dundalk and Shelbourne in a two horse race come the final day of the season.This season a new look Blues under the management of Stephen Henderson will look to gain one of the three potential promotion spots in what is going to prove to be the most competitive League of Ireland First Division in years, with 7 teams capable of gaining the three promotion spots.
Reinstatement to Premier Division
Despite the FAI's original decision to relegate Waterford United, the club was reinstated to the Premier Division following the relegation of Shelbourne to the First Division on 20 February 2007.
Personnel
Board Members
Directors: Chris Everett and Michael Drohan
Honorary President: Bertie Rogers
Management Committee: Tony Burke, John Douglas, Michael Drohan, Chris Everett, Greg Pheasey, Larry Gough, John O'Driscoll, John O'Sullivan, Ray Scott, Sam White.
Staff
Directors: Chris Everett, Michael Drohan
Honorary President: Bertie Rogers
Club Administrator: Michael Drohan
The Board: Chris Everett - Chairman and Head of Governence Tony Burke - Head of Finance Larry Gough - Head of Communications & Community Greg Pheasey - Head of Technical Sam White - Head of Infrastructure
Acting Chief Operating Officer: Brendan McEvoy
UEFA Licensing Officer: Chris Everett
Media Officer: John Kehoe
Event Controller: Mark Dunne
Doctor: Dr. Eithne Brenner
Physiotherapist: Eddie Jackman
Club Administrator: Michael Drohan
Stadium Announcer: Michael Butler
Current squad
As of Sat 6th Feb 2009
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Technical Staff
Manager: Stephen Henderson
Assistant Manager:Ray Moran
Head Coach/U20 Manager: Paul O'Brien
Goalkeeping Coach: Billy Hearn
Fitness Coach: Martin Cambridge
Club Doctor: Dr. Ethine Brenner
Physio: Eddie Jackman
Equipment Manager: Michael Walsh
U-20 Squad
Players
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Fans
The club draws its support not only from Waterford City and the surrounding area, but also from Waterford County and the South East region as a whole. There are a number of supporters groups and clubs, which are:
Groups
Independent Blues Supporter Club (I.B.S.C)
The Independent Blues Supporters Club was formed in July 2002. It organises and represents a section of Waterford United fans. The IBSC aims to provide transport for fans to away matches. Regular fundraisers are held to cover travel expenses for away games. One of the man sources of funds is the Golden Goal competition at Waterford United home games. During the 2007 season the IBSC sold WUFC lottery tickets and engaged in other fundraising activities, helping alleviate the clubs financial stress. They are the largest fans' group.
SINGING THE BLUES. In November 2006, Waterford author Brian Kennedy released "Singing The Blues" , the first ever book written on the famous old club. It went on to sell over 1,000 copies before the end of the year.
Dublin Blues Supporters Club (D.B.S.C)
The Dublin Blues Supporters Club was formed in January 2007 as an outlet for Dublin based Waterford United fans.
Honours
Senior
- Includes titles won by Waterford F.C.
- League of Ireland titles: 6
- 1965-66, 1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70, 1971-72, 1972-73
- FAI Cups: 2
- 1936-37, 1979-80
- League of Ireland Cups: 2
- 1973-74, 1984-85
- League of Ireland First Division: 3
- 1989-90, 1997-98, 2002-03
- Munster Senior Cup: 13
- 1934-35, 1945-46 (shared with Cork United), 1947-48, 1955-56, 1956-57, 1965-66, 1966-67, 1975-76, 1980-81, 1985-86, 1986-87, 2007, 2009
- Top Four Cup: 5
- 1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70, 1970-71, 1972-73
- League of Ireland Shield: 5
- 1930-1931, 1936-1937, 1952-1953, 1958-1959, 1968-1969
- Texaco Cup: 1
- 1974-75
U-21
- U-21 League titles: 1
- 2002
- U-21 Cups: 1
- 2002
European Competition
| Competition | Played | Win | Draw | Lost | For | Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Cup | 14 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 15 | 47 |
| UEFA Cup Winners' Cup | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 14 |
| Total | 22 | 4 | 1 | 17 | 21 | 61 |
| Competition | Opponents | Home | Away | Agg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Cup 1966-67
Preliminary Round |
 Vorwärts Berlin
|
1-6 | 0-6 | 1-12 |
| European Cup 1968-69
Round One |
 Manchester United
|
1-3 | 1-7 | 2-10 |
| European Cup 1969-70
Round One |
 Galatasaray SK
|
2-3 | 0-2 | 2-5 |
| European Cup 1970-71
Round One |
 Glentoran
|
1-0 | 3-1 | 4-1 |
| European Cup 1970-71
Round Two |
 Celtic
|
0-7 | 2-3 | 2-10 |
| European Cup 1972-73
Round One |
 AC Omonia
|
0-2 | 2-1 | 2-3 |
| European Cup 1973-74
Round One |
 Újpest FC
|
2-3 | 0-3 | 2-6 |
| UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1979-80
Round One |
 IFK Göteborg
|
1-1 | 0-1 | 1-2 |
| UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1980-81
Round One |
 Hibernians
|
4-0 | 0-1 | 4-1 |
| UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1980-81
Round Two |
 FC Dinamo Tbilisi
|
0-1 | 0-4 | 0-5 |
| UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1986-87
Round One |
 FC Girondins de Bordeaux
|
1-2 | 0-4 | 1-6 |
Selected Former Players
John ONeill- Alfie Hale
- Paddy Coad
- Terry Conroy
- John Frost
- Peter Desmond
- Al Finucane
- Noel Hunt
- Stephen Grant
- Peter Kavanagh
- Daryl Murphy
- Michael Bennett
- Alan Barry
- Jackie O'Driscoll
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Peter Thomas - Bobby Charlton
- Johnny Matthews
- Tony Hall
Jimmy Gauld
Piotr Suski- Andrej Polewczak
Jose Quitongo
Robert Markovac
Trond Debes
Rodney Jack
Gus di Lella
Scott Garlick- Ed McIlvenny
see also Category:Waterford United F.C. players
Selected Former Managers
see also Category:Waterford United F.C. managers
References
- ^ Fixture/result list from the FAI showing Waterford
- ^ "Club Profile, Waterford United". Eircom League Of Ireland. Retrieved 2008-09-28.