Waterford United confirm successful takeover

[Dodge]

Yeah Hoffmans is definitely the one I'm thinking about.

It's really only since the mid 90s that teams here seem to have settled on their current "norm". Pats wore white with red sleeves for a year. We've had red with flecks, pin stripes, plain etc. Bohs had red with black sleeves for a couple of years in the late 90s. Cork had every conceivable format of kit. Only Derry and rovers have consistently had the same style of kit. Others like Dundalk would have been close enough but the level of black would have schanged from time to time

[pineapple stu]

This isn't a partisan response, I genuinely intend it as detached analysis - I think there is *less* work to be done at Waterford than most other clubs, relative to the amount of money he probably had to invest to take it over.
That's all fair enough alright, particularly regarding the ground, which is decent for a ground with a running track.

But still, let's say the investment could revive Waterford to the levels Galway are at - I think they'd be a comparable club in some ways (decent ground, football history, in the doldrums). I still don't see that you'll be making money.

But sure I guess we'll see what happens.

[gormacha]

I still don't see that you'll be making money.

Me neither.

[pineapple stu]

Me neither.
And that's not a criticism of Waterford btw.

Just a criticism of the LoI in general. And in particular the First Division.

[gormacha]

And that's not a criticism of Waterford btw.

Just a criticism of the LoI in general. And in particular the First Division.

No, I got that.

I don't see how anyone currently makes proper money, outside of once in a generation European runs.

[seand]

Yeah Hoffmans is definitely the one I'm thinking about.

It's really only since the mid 90s that teams here seem to have settled on their current "norm". Pats wore white with red sleeves for a year. We've had red with flecks, pin stripes, plain etc. Bohs had red with black sleeves for a couple of years in the late 90s. Cork had every conceivable format of kit. Only Derry and rovers have consistently had the same style of kit. Others like Dundalk would have been close enough but the level of black would have schanged from time to time

Dundalk's home kit has been all over the shop, with black sleeves, black shoulders, thick black stripes down one side, an absolutely fabulous half and half Blackburn style in the 90s, a giant black chevron, black pinstripes. White as predominant colour has been the only bit of consistency.

[Titan]

So I wasn't seeing things? Phew! Suppose I was only judging Waterford colours based on what I had seen which would have been 80's mainly and usually away to Pats, Bohs and Rovers. But yeah that White Hoffmans Kit with the blue pinstripes was spiffing

[Larry 'da' Wyse]

So I wasn't seeing things? Phew! Suppose I was only judging Waterford colours based on what I had seen which would have been 80's mainly and usually away to Pats, Bohs and Rovers. But yeah that White Hoffmans Kit with the blue pinstripes was spiffing

'Memory man' Jimmy McGee used the line 'And here come Real Madrid in their Waterford Utd white strip' commentating on one of the European Cup finals yonks ago.

[gormacha]

There were a few occasions this season where we wore an array of colours at home because of clashes that the away team couldn't or didn't sort out (looking at you Drogheda!), but even as recently as 2013 I think, we wore "all blue" kits with a significant amount of white in it.

The 2016 white away is one of the most beautiful kits in recent LOI history. Even has a bled out transparent badge that makes it appear "white on white". And whilst teh lack of a main short sponsor probably gave the Board sleepless nights, it made for an aesthetically pleasing kit.

As for the '80s, I only seem to remember blue kits with minimal white trim, but I was very young and this is probably affected by memory and the fact I rarely if ever travelled to away games back then.

[GC13]

Any investment in a club should be welcomed, the concern that Swindon will pick up the best players can only be good, lets face it what chance has a young lad at premiership clubs or even many championship clubs? Players that start in the lower tiers if good enough will progress up the divisions - Waterford will benefit from this and it will surely make them sustainable going forward and bring another competitive team to Irish football - It's not like Bray Wanderers fiasco (over last few seasons it could have been a soap opera) Bray have property developers investing and it appears their intentions are becoming more public! Powell on the other hand is a football man (history laid out by nr673 earlier) it gives better possibilities for a club when football people take control!

[trevy]

Good to see a few Waterford fans back on foot.ie and talking about the club which is a positive sign of the takeover after the despair of the last few seasons. I'm not too bothered either way if name changes or not as long as club is at least challenging for promotion and well run.

[ForzaForth]

Pat Fenlon gone to the GAA?

http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/league-of-ireland-legend-pat-fenlon-is-back-in-management-in-the-gaa-35292108.html


Edit: Looks like part-time work for Pat only.

[Neish]

I think the new Waterford ownership are either unaware or greatly underestimating the power of the GAA when it comes to sport merchandise in this country when they talk about making money or promoting a club. In most of the smaller cities and big town in the UK the local football club(s) have little competitors in this market.(with exception of a handful of the Rugby league cities or towns)

Also if they plan to be a selling on club they won't get anywhere near the value they would get for a young LOI player than they would for a English league player unless the said player is an class or two above the rest

[ToberonaTornado]

OK......

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C2omPKkXUAA1VUT.png

[ToberonaTornado]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJqimlFcJsM

[Darkglasses]

Well that's every club's chant sorted for when Waterford come to town.

[EatYerGreens]

Interesting crest.

Do the 3 lions mean anything to Waterford's local history ? It does seem a rather English thing.

[Nesta99]

Also if they plan to be a selling on club they won't get anywhere near the value they would get for a young LOI player than they would for a English league player unless the said player is an class or two above the rest

Waterford to Swindon for a solidarity fee and then maybe Swindon on for EFL player premium transfer fee. Everyones a winner......It would work for an investor to sign players up on top League of Ireland wages which are relatively inexpensive even at the top end compared to English League clubs. If they move they could improve Swindon even if Swindon dont sell on. Waterford are kept alive and kicking as a feeder club and will get players in on loan too probably, no pitfalls at all here. We had the HomeFarm/Everton efforts but not quite a single owner of 2 clubs in 2 countries model. Pushing UEFA rules at all or would that only be if bothe Waterford and Swindon qualify for Europe. If it is allowed that other lower division clubs in England could pull the same trick and we'd have great fun watching the bidding on the best young talent being prepped for export for nominal money to the clubs of origin. The FAI would love it. Swindon climb the leagues with Ireland U25's, qualify for Europe while Waterford win the cup with mostly U23's and Waterford go on sale to be replaced by Athlone after all the blues players are released and signed by Athlone who can can avoid any payments to Waterford as they dont offer any contarct extensions and the club isnt sold until players are registered in the midlands!! Vivid imagination at this time of night I can have!

[gormacha]

Vivid imagination at this time of night I can have!

A decent job of channelling Yoda too you do.

[**FrOsTy**]

Interesting crest.

Do the 3 lions mean anything to Waterford's local history ? It does seem a rather English thing.


It's on the coat of arms, and it's also a modernisation of the first club crest in 1930.

Not a major fan of it myself, but I see the reasoning behind it.

[EatYerGreens]

It's on the coat of arms, and it's also a modernisation of the first club crest in 1930.

Not a major fan of it myself, but I see the reasoning behind it.

There are 3 lions on the Waterford coat of arms ?!

There are 3 ships anyway, but I've never personally seen one with 3 lions.

[**FrOsTy**]

Check out the middle of the coat of arms. Based off that and original 1930's crest.
http://foot.ie/attachment.php?attachmentid=2508&stc=1

[stann]

And another, by way of reinforcement...
https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/04/35/6f/e4/waterford-treasures-medieval.jpg

This is the first club crest, in use from 1930 to the mid '40s.
http://kassiesa.net/uefa/clubs/images/Waterford@2.-old-logo.png

[stann]

There are other sporting examples too, on this side of the divide...
http://www.forza27.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Clare-Crest.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/620728064641777664/KddgmRtk.jpg

[derm]

There are 3 lions on the Waterford coat of arms ?!

There are 3 ships anyway, but I've never personally seen one with 3 lions.

There were. They were removed in 1949 when Ireland became a republic. The original Waterford FC's crest originated in 1930.

Still seems strange to me tbh.

[sulywaterfordfc]

I've heard over 300 season tickets sold on the first day of sales

[outspoken]

I've heard over 300 season tickets sold on the first day of sales

That's madness! Fair play.

[oldyouth]

Is Spot Murphy injured? Hasn't featured in a squad so far. Very talented player

[MeathDrog]

Anyone know the history behind having the three lions on the original Waterford crest?

[sulywaterfordfc]

Is Spot Murphy injured? Hasn't featured in a squad so far. Very talented player

He has left the club because of work commitments as per his twitter.

[sulywaterfordfc]

Check out the middle of the coat of arms. Based off that and original 1930's crest.
http://foot.ie/attachment.php?attachmentid=2508&stc=1


And another, by way of reinforcement...
https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/04/35/6f/e4/waterford-treasures-medieval.jpg

This is the first club crest, in use from 1930 to the mid '40s.
http://kassiesa.net/uefa/clubs/images/Waterford@2.-old-logo.png


Anyone know the history behind having the three lions on the original Waterford crest?

It is down to the Waterford coat of arms. As per posts above.

[MeathDrog]

I figured that but any idea why it's in the coat of arms.

[Lim till i die]

If I remember my history correctly they were put there in exchange for large quantities of soup that the people of waterford took during the famine.

[Eminence Grise]

Ouch!!!:bowl:lol

[stann]

If I remember my history correctly they were put there in exchange for large quantities of soup that the people of waterford took during the famine.
:good: You'll have to go a bit further back than that, back even before your lot were eating each other while Ireton was hanging about outside the walls. :p

The city's motto was coined in 1497 after they refused to recognise a pretender to the throne, so presumably the coat of arms with the lions on it dates from a similar time. The three lions themselves are a Plantagenet symbol, added to the royal arms by Henry II a couple of hundred years before.

[Charlie Darwin]

Well played LITD, classic fishing.

[derm]

Do Waterford have a website now? Waterford-united.ie is apparently gone - is there a new url?

[Briuk]

Do Waterford have a website now? Waterford-united.ie is apparently gone - is there a new url?

It doesn’t seem so, they are using facebook and twitter though

[derm]

Yeah, but I presume there's a plan in place?
It's strange that there isn't a "coming soon" page at waterfordfc.ie with the old united one redirecting to it. If you go to all that trouble of rebranding and getting a "new" crest it'd be strange if the website was overlooked.