Waterford F.C.
| Waterford United crest | |||
| Full name | Waterford United Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | "The Blues" | ||
| Gegründet | 1930 | ||
| Ground | Waterford Regional Sports Centre, Waterford, County Waterford | ||
| Capacity | 8,000 (1,250 seats) | ||
| Chairman | Chris Everett | ||
| Manager | Gareth Cronin | ||
| 2006 | 11th | ||
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Waterford United is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. The club, founded and elected to the league in 1930, hails from Waterford playing their home matches at Kilcohan Park before moving to Regional Sports Centre. Club colours are blue and white, and the club goes by the nickname Blues.
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's 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 wrer 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 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 FAI League 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 massive clubs such as Manchester United and the Celtic football club
Waterford United 1982-Present
The Waterford United Club was founded in 1982 and Alfie Hale was appointed manager. In 1985 the leagues 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 Premiership 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 F.C.. 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 Eircom League at the end of the 2006 season. Part of this takeover involved the assessment of all Eircom League sides and the manner in which they were being run including finances, infrastructure, future plans, marketability and previous finishing postitons 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 F.C. 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 F.C.]. 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 controversly 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".
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 F.C. on 20 February 2007.
Current Squad
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Goalkeepers
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Defenders
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Midfielders
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Forwards
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Fans
Supporter Clubs are:
- Waterford United Offical Supporters Club
- Independent Blues Supporter Club
Waterford United have an offical supporters club. Founded in 2004 from the ashes of Forza blues the supporters club has been running steady ever since with fundraisers on a regular basis. The O.S.C also contribute to the match day program, organize the ballboys and mascot for each game and also run the match day promotion and the match pub sponsor.They can be contacted on [email protected]. Membership is 10euro and 5 for under 16
The Independent Blues Supporters Club was formed in 2002. It organises and represents the 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 2005 season the IBSC agreed to sell WUFC lotto tickets helping alleviate the clubs financial stress.
Honours
- Includes titles won by Waterford F.C.
- League titles: 6
- 1965-66, 1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70, 1971-72, 1972-73
- FAI Cups: 2
- 1937, 1980
- League Cups: 2
- 1973-74, 1984-85
- League of Ireland Shield:5
- 1930-1931, 1936-1937, 1952-1953, 1958-1959, 1968-1969
- League of Ireland First Division:3
- 1989-1990, 1997-1998, 2002-2003
European Competition
European Cup 1966-67 Preliminary round Waterford United 1 - 12 ASK Vorwärts Berlin (East Germany) 1 - 6 (Home Leg) 0 - 6 (Away Leg)
European Cup 1968-69 Round One Waterford United 2 - 10 Manchester United (England) 1 - 3 (Home Leg) 1 - 7 (Away Leg)
European Cup 1969-70 Round One Galatasaray SK (Turkey) 5 - 2 Waterford United 2 - 0 (Away Leg) 3 - 2 (Home Leg)
European Cup 1970-71 Round One Glentoran F.C. (Northern Ireland) 1 - 4 Waterford United 1 - 3 (Away Leg) 0 - 1 (Home Leg) Round Two Waterford United 2 - 10 Celtic FC (Scotland) 0 - 7 (Home leg) 2 - 3 (Away Leg)
European Cup 1972-73 Round One Waterford United 2 - 3 AC Omonia (Cyprus) 2 - 1 (Away leg) 0 - 2 (Home Leg)
European Cup 1973-74 Round One Waterford United 2 - 6 Újpesti TE (Hungary) 2 - 3 (Home Leg) 0 - 3 (Away Leg)
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1979-80 Round One IFK Göteborg (Sweden) 2 - 1 Waterford United 1 - 0 (Away Leg) 1 - 1 (Home Leg)
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1980-81 Round One Hibernians FC (Malta) 1 - 4 Waterford United 1 - 0 (Away Leg) 0 - 4 (Home Leg) Round Two Waterford United 0 - 5 FC Dinamo Tbilisi (Georgia) 0 - 1 (Home Leg) 0 - 4 (Away Leg)
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1986-87 Round One Waterford United 1 - 6 FC Girondins de Bordeaux 1 - 2 (Home Leg) 0 - 4 (Away Leg)
Notable People
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- Shay Brennan
- Bobby Charlton - played for Waterford in FAI Cup defeat at Finn Harps*
Alfie Hale Alfie Hale won who won 14 full international caps for the Republic of Ireland. He won the first of two international caps at schoolboy level against West Germany in 1957. He made his debut for Waterford at the age of 17 that same year. He moved to English side Aston Villa for £4,500 scoring 66 goals and also played for Doncaster Rovers and Newport County. He returned to Waterford in 1962. Alfie was player-manager of the side that beat Cork Hibernians in dramatic circumstances at Flower Lodge (now Pairc Ui Rinn) to claim a fifth league crown in seven seasons in the 1971-1972 season. Alfie also lead Cork Celtic to a league title in 1974 and also played for St. Patrick’s Athletic and Limerick F.C. before retiring from playing. Alfie managed Thurles Town F.C. in the late seventies, returning to Waterford in a mangerial role in 1982 until 1986.
As manger of Cobh Ramblers Alfie gave former Republic of Ireland and Manchester United player Roy Keane his debut in 1990. He returned as manager of Waterford in 1991 achieving promotion to the Premier Division before stepping down in 1993. Alfie took charge of Kilkenny City F.C. shortly afterwards Were he led them to first division glory in 1997.After four succesful years with [Kilkenny City]Alfie Hale resigned to be replaced by Former shelbourne manager Pat Bryne.
Alfie's father also played for Waterford in 1930 as well as his two uncles forming a famous all-Hale half-back line in a league game at home to Bohemians. He retired from football in 2003 and runs a sports shop and a chain of pubs in Waterford City.
Frank Davis Frank Davis regarded as the man responsible for making Waterford F.C. the major force they became in Irish football from 1966 until 1972, winning the league title four of the six seasonss he was in charge. Frank was responsible for bringing Johnny Matthews and Jimmy McGeough to the club, paying £3,000 for McGeough to Derry City F.C.. Frank also represented the club on the FAI. He played a major part in the success of Waterford FC during his years in charge and also was the man who brought Peter Thomas to Kilcohan Park. He managed Larne F.C. in the Irish League after he was let go by Waterford United and took them to an IFA Cup Final where they lost to Portadown F.C. in 2004 but family commitments saw him return to the US last September. He died in April 2006.
Peter Thomas Peter was a goalkeeper signed from Coventry City in 1966.He made only thirteen appearances for Waterford before returning in 1967. Peter is associated with briniging a new style of goal-keeping to the League of Ireland. He rarely kicked the ball on the offensive, throwing when possible with great accuracy. He made his debut for the Republic of Ireland in 1973 against Poland, keeping a clean sheet but having to come off at half time due to a pulled muscle in his stomach.
Peter Thomas nearly joined Manchester City F.C. in the early seventies but they instead opted for Joe Corrigan. He has won five league medals and a cup medal and played in 12 European Cup matches for Waterford.
Johnny Matthews Johnny Matthews was born in Coventry playing with his home club Coventry City F.C.. He moved to Waterford during the 1965/66 season on St. Patricks Day under the impression from Jimmy Hill that it was for just a six week loan period. Matthews played in the last seven games scoring twice and his loan period extended. During the following season he signed for the club on a permanent basis. He continued to play for the Blues for the next 14 years and scored 147 goals for Waterford. He also played for Limerick scoring 9 goal.
In total Johnny won 6 league medals with Waterford and another with Limerick as well as 3 runners-up medals in the FAI Cup. Johnny also played in 16 European Cup matches and scored against Glasgow Celtic and Manchester United.
He entered management with Newcastlewest before returning to Waterford and playing under Alfie Hale before taking the managerial reins at Waterford along with Dave Kirby. His second stint in charge with the Blues brought the First Division Title.
Johnny's greatest honour was winning league honours with Waterford but his cherished memory is scoring a penalty against Gordon Banks when the League of Ireland played the English League back in 1971 at Lansdowne Road.
Jimmy McGeough Jimmy McGeough signed for Waterford from Derry City in 1966 for £3,000. McGeough was part of the great Waterford side of the 1960s and ‘70s He has played and successfully managed Waterford, winning league titles as a player and a manger.
Jimmy McGeough took over following Paul Power's resignation late in the 2001 season. He guided the club to a top half finish in the First Division in his first season and estabhlishing them in the Premier Division.
The following year, McGeough's first full season in charge, Waterford won the First Division title. McGeough unearthed some exciting talents with Republic of Ireland Under 21 goalkeeper Dan Connor and Neale Fenn, both proving to be exceptional signings.
However off the pitch, McGeough had a difficult relationship with club chairman Ger O'Brien. A series aof poor results resulted in dip in their rift becoming public knowledge. A restructuring of the coaching staff, fully supported by the manager, saw McGeough handing over some of his power to assistant Giles Cheevers. He was sacked in 2003 leading to much outrage from Waterfords fans.
Jimmy McGeough took charge of Larne to the IFA Cup Final in Winsdor Park before returning to the USA to rejoin his family.
Rodney Jack Played for English outfits Oldham Athletic, Rushden and Diamonds, Crewe Alexandra and Torquay United before joining Waterford United. He has also represented the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at International level.
Daryl Murphy Daryl played for Waterford before moving to Championship outfit Sunderland for £100,000 in 2005. He has represented the Republic of Ireland at Under-21 level.
Chris Deans Chris has reprsented the Republic of Ireland 17 times at Underage level, winning two caps at Under 19 level and representing Ireland at Under-21 level in the Madeira Tournament in 2006 which they won. Chris Deans left Waterford United in 2006 and signed for Irish Premier Division outfit Bray Wanderers.
Stephen Grant A member of the current Waterford United squad who received a late call up to the same Republic of Ireland Under-21 winning squad for the Madeira tournament as Chris Deans. He made 26 appearances for Waterford. He was released at the end of the 2006 season.
Dan Connor Former goalkeeper, Dan represented the Republic of Ireland at U-15,U-16,U-18 & U-21 level. He scored from the penalty spot for Waterford in their F.A.I Cup Semi-final in 2004 in which Waterford beat Derry City F.C. 2-1, going on to lose to Longford Town 2-1. He signed for Drogheda United in 2005.
Neale Fenn Neale Fenn was a member of Brian Kerrs 1997 under-20 squad which won bronze in the FIFA World Youth Championship in Malaysia in 1997. Neale previously played with Tottenham Hotspur F.C. but failed to break through to the first team going out on loan to Norwich City F.C., Leyton Orient F.C., Swindon Town F.C. and Lincoln City F.C.. He signed for Peterborough United in 2001 but in 2003 his contract was cancelled by mutual consent, moving to Waterford United in August 2003. He transferred to Cork City F.C. in December 2003. He moved to Bohemians at the end of the 2006 season.
External links
Former Players with external link