Any particular reason, just beyond his financial resources or too inclined to get involved in team selection? Waterford were incredibly lucky that he was interested in buying when Power was pulling fast ones all around him (its the one thing i'd be curious about if Delaney stayied at the FAI a bit longer is whether he could have gotten around the rules on European qualification and whether it could have been preplanned with Power in advance if WFC finished top 4/won cup).
The court case is yet to be heard on Piley and his businesses so maybe not fair to call it a Power mk II but it's still a bit Waterford. The press conference will be interestinng though he will just refuse to comment on ongoing legal issues. Unpicking the stuff around Power and Swindon was quite an eyeopener but there was always chatter of messing at Swindon but havent heard anything on Fleetwood bar the already mentioned climb through the divisions, missing out on a big sell-on for Vardy when Arsenal wanted him. A case was taken by Piley in 2015 against a number of people where the ruling made was to retract comments and desist from whatever thee people were saying, not a whole lot more info on that. The current case to be heard is seemingly in a legal progress for 8 years so could be connected. Ofgem fined a couple of Piley's companies £2! + donations to charity. Current charges are serious if found guilty but additional fines would be the the outcome, they're softer on white collar crime in Engalnd and Wales than they are here. Supposedly Piley's companies are owed about €20mil by Fleetwood but assurances have been made that these wont be called in until the club can afford them, he is involved 18 years now and the wheels havent come off. The balance sheets dont look great even pre pandemic but if debts are covered than thats a positive. It doesnt seem to be a consortium with other clubs he is involved with so may be some differences on how things at Waterford will be done.
Whats a bit odd is that there isnt a whole lot on the court cases past and pending. Stuff on Piley's personal business stuff are scant eg his estimated wealth ranges from a few million to 49mil but still is a lot lower than what you'd expect from an owner of a bunch of energy related companies imo and can carry a loan of circa £20mil to a football club. The wiki page is a homage to the success at Fleetwood and successful business ventures, and all the charitable involvements, like it was written up by one of his kids. It will be an interesting period for Waterford, I have no bases for this opinion but it could be an investment that works. A potential issue is if Bircham is installed as manager and things dont go to plan what happens - I dont think there's a rule that stops a (part) owner from being a head coach if he is a member of the consortium?!
This article is fun and worth a read, not sure its a serious effort,...clueless if it is!
https://sportschunky.com/net-worth/f...eam-net-worth/
Some links to the company registers with accounts if someone is bothered, the football club accounts may be of interest to have a look at for something of a comparison between the finances of our own league and L1/L2 in England. Bircham's registration there too.
https://find-and-update.company-info...mpany/03359117
https://find-and-update.company-info...Q/appointments
https://find-and-update.company-info...mpany/11658634