Jamie Pilley reaffirms commitment to the Blues

Waterford FC owner Jamie Pilley and club Chief Executive Officer Steve Curwood along with group secretary Will Watt were in town over the course of the past week where a fans forum was held at Bank Lane in the city.

But before that event, Pilley met with the local media where he reaffirmed his commitment to Waterford FC despite some uncertainties in recent times, but he is delighted about how things are going on and off the pitch.

With the forum hearing that the club is close to changing the club crest and that fans will have a say in what will be on the jersey next season, the big news is that the Fleetwood group will continue to try grow operations here in Waterford where budgets allow.

In an in-depth interview, Jamie Pilley said: “I’m really enjoying my time as co-owner of both Fleetwood and Waterford. Things are going wonderful so all’s good. Things didn’t go to plan at Fleetwood last season. We went through too much manager and ended up getting relegated.

“We’ve gone through another manager since, but I think that we’re playing some good football, and we’re building for next season. I don’t think that this should impact or worry any Waterford fan how the Fleetwood team’s relegation has gone.

“I think the Waterford fans should really be enthused by how good things are going over here, how well the league is growing, how the transfer window has been and the optimism for the new season.

“I delighted about how things have gone here, and I think that it plays into the wider League of Ireland. We've seen record crowds like you saw at Bohs v Shamrock Rovers on the opening day of the season.

“In terms of ourselves, I think that we’ve had a good window. We've built a better squad that I believe is better that we had last season, and we've improved the stadium, on and off the pitch.

“We're really trying to build the football club. The big positive thing is when you look at the attendances across the league. It’s testament to the good work that the FAI is doing, and all the individual football clubs that are really trying to build clubs on and off the pitch and into the communities.

“I think we'll get a good crowds here at Waterford as well so it's really exciting. Optimism is building around the town, and it's exciting time to be a league of Ireland fan. It’s good to see the relationships growing with the Waterford and Fleetwood fans."

STRONG RELATIONSHIPS

Pilley also spoke about the relationships between Fleetwood and Waterford. “Sometimes, it's almost as if you were playing football manager, but you're taking it to another level, quite literally. It is brilliant to see there's such a Fleetwood impact here in Waterford, and there's such a Waterford impact over at Fleetwood.

“That's a testament to the recruitment teams. I think going both ways to having such a real positive impact. You saw Stephen McMullen match performance last week in Sligo, Tommy Lonergan, on loan from Fleetwood, scored a goal, and a lot of other lads got minutes, and vice versa.

“The other way. Phoenix Patterson still quite a big feature in the Fleetwood team, and Ronan Coughlan was unfortunate until he was injured a few weeks ago. We also have Ronan Mansfield over from Waterford with the Under 20’s.

“We are committed to supporting the developments here like we said we would when we landed because we saw the potential in Waterford. I feel like we've done that because football is a lot more than what the ninety minutes.

“That's why we've tried to do things off the pitch, even now with still doing things with the addition of an alcohol license at the RSC, so guys and girls can now get a pint on a Friday night watching the game, which is quite an improvement.

“It's something that fans wanted. And along with the investment that goes on the field as well, this season, we're also going to see the first women's team as well. So you know that those developments are hugely welcomed.

“We have also brought a Women’s team to the club for the first time ever with the support of the Hess Group. I’m sure that will be a major success for Gary and the girls going forward, but there’s a lot that we still have to do in the future.

“I think my message to the fans that weren't able to come down this Friday evening would be that we've really backed the manager this season. I believe we've got really good squad, and I would ask you to come down to the RSC, and show your support.”