IT’S BEEN AN interesting three-and-a-bit years since Lee Power became owner of Waterford.
The investment from Power, a former Norwich and Ireland underage footballer turned businessman, boosted the club both on the field and off.
They gained promotion to the Premier Division in 2017, finishing fourth during their first season in the top flight.
They initially thought they had secured European football ahead of the 2019 campaign, but were controversially replaced by St Patrick’s Athletic after contravening Uefa’s licensing rules.
Power took the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but was ultimately unsuccessful in his bid to challenge this decision.
The setback had significant financial consequences. Last season, there were rumours Power was considering pulling out, but the chairman subsequently confirmed he would continue to finance the club.
The Londoner, who has family from Waterford, admits he is still reeling from the club’s Europa League exclusion, nearly a year after the news was confirmed.
“I don’t think it would have happened in any other country,” he tells The42. “That’s the downside of Irish football and probably the state that it’s in at the moment.
“Not for me just financially, but to all the supporters, the staff that worked so hard, to take that away from them I thought was disgraceful.
There was a lot of talk that I was going to pull out this year because of that — I did give it some thought. But there are changes being made and different things being spoken about and I’ve decided to roll the dice again.
“My hope is that the people in the city and the county of Waterford come and support the team. I’ve just gone there to spend… Well millions now actually in getting it to where it is.
“The disappointing bit last season were the attendances towards the end — it’s down to the city if they want to support the team. I’ve done my bit. Rennie’s [Waterford manager Alan Reynolds] done his bit.
“If you support a team, you need to support it through thick and thin. I think everyone was so let down by the Uefa decision that it caused a real dampener at the club. I’m hoping that was the reason and everyone’s geared to come back out this season. Fundamentally, if they don’t, there’s only one thing that happens to a football club.”
And is there anything he feels the club can do to entice supporters back?
“I don’t think we should have to. I’m a football supporter. I’m a Millwall supporter. As long as I’ve got breath in me, whenever I get a chance, that’s my roots, that’s my team, I’ll go and watch it.”
And asked about the biggest challenge of running the club, Power returns to a familiar subject.
“I’m still in shock that we weren’t allowed to take our place in Europe.
Our head of finance spends six months dealing every day with the FAI and Uefa, and then to be told a week before, it’s because you haven’t been going for three years, they knew about that before they even started. Why come over and have two site visits if we ain’t going to be able to participate? It was a ridiculous excuse.
“There was a lot politically going on with the FAI at the time and it’s still very sore for everyone down here. It wouldn’t have happened to a Dublin club, that’s for sure. And it’s not a surprise that it was a Dublin club that took our place.
“There are still no answers. All we get is: ‘Well, that’s the situation.’ And it’s cost me tens of thousands to try to get some answers. I just wanted to know the truth — obviously that can’t be the reason [the three-year rule]. There have been precedents set before us. Other teams in the same situations have been allowed to [compete].
“I just hope that with this new shake-up in the FAI and the talk of possibly removing ourselves from the association and setting up our own league, it’s probably one of the key reasons that I’ve decided again to have another go this, because you can’t run a league like that.
“I think all the owners talk the same language as what I’m speaking — something needs to change. They can’t expect individuals to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds to support the local football team [without reward].”
Power subsequently says he will consider his long-term future as Waterford owner if the situation does not improve.
“Yeah, you couldn’t carry on [if things don't change]. I’ve always said that, [from] when I was asked to come in there.
“We lost our major sponsor that everyone worked hard to get. That was part of the European bill. We lost a load of different commercial income. And I don’t think the FAI realised the impact that it’s had on us as a club.
“And the fact that we’ve had no answers, that’s the worst thing about it.”
In response to Power’s criticism, an FAI spokesman said: “Waterford FC applied to Uefa for an exemption to the three-year rule. This application was refused by Uefa.”
And speaking of the association, Power attracted headlines last April for a statement supporting the then-embattled John Delaney. The former CEO has since left the organisation following a series of controversies during his reign, but the Waterford owner has no regrets about the statement in question.
“Not at all. I stand by it now. John was the reason I came at the time. He said: ‘Look Lee, this football club’s in trouble. Would you come and help us save the club?’
What I said in my statement is John’s done nothing but benefit Irish football, from my point of view. That club might have gone out of existence. It was John that came in and asked me to do that and that’s what I have done. During my couple of years there, John has been nothing but helpful in helping us keep a League of Ireland team in business.
“Like I said before to people, which they don’t put in the statement, is that I’m not aware what John was doing on and off the pitch, what the finances were at the FAI, what had happened in the 10 years previous — obviously, I’m not privy to that.
“I was only talking about my own personal relationship through that two-year period.
“You read [about] the FAI and the state they’re in at the moment financially. You can see why the League of Ireland gets starved, because obviously they’ve done whatever they’ve done with the money.
“I think any other league would have a TV deal for the national league — we haven’t got one, we don’t get a penny, which is ridiculous.
“You look at the betting companies, for argument’s sake, in world football. Obviously, I’m involved in gambling and have been for years, in horse racing and casinos — that’s my background. In the month of June, I think the Irish league is the most gambled-on league around the world.
“So again, you’d think that somewhere along the line, you’d get a major sponsor from one of those and also a televised games to enable that commercially to work for everyone.
I think that’s what the clubs are exploring now — a breakaway to try to be in charge of their own dynasty and commercially, any money due in from sponsors goes into the league’s pockets, not the national association’s. It’s maybe having a different entity like they do in the UK and most other countries, and seeing if that works better.
“I think it’s got to happen — there are no two ways about it — for the future of Irish football, otherwise it’s never going to go anywhere.”
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So many penalties against Leinster makes me look at the ref again. When you see the ref awarding 50/50 decisions in one direction suggests the dice is loaded. France rugby and English rugby are in cohoots with the sponcers against Irish rugby.
@Brendan O’Callaghan: just look at last year’s final. Carley screaming abuse at Ross Byrne for asking if Jenkins can get medical attention.
@Brendan O’Callaghan: ah yea blame the ref for Leinster’s poor performance so far
@Brendan O’Callaghan: that time when the Bristol player played the ball on the ground after VDF broke and nearly scored. Outrageous from ref – he just invented a knock on to avoid giving the Bristol player a YC for very cynical play. Leinster discipline has been poor though
@robert kelly: Who is blaming the ref for Leinster playing bad? Weird chap.
@Mick Joe: Co the jets there Mick I must say it seemed to me like you and Brendan were blaming ref and making excuses… I’m just a neutral watching a game of rugby
@Brendan O’Callaghan: this is Top14 reffing, it’s a different beast you can get 3 yellows at once if your really lucky
@Michael Corkery: did josh not lose the ball forward just prior to that?
I thought Prendergast couldn’t carry or threaten the line?
Ref doesn’t do refing.
Can’t believe the whinging by the goys on here tonight….. unbelievable Jeff!
Ref doesn’t do scrums.
@Jofus Soap: yea, some very dodgy calls. Typically French
Give me Leinster with Lancaster any day before this Nienbar tripe
Leinster by 15
Leinster by 14
@Shanie: one more for my big bet bro
@Shanie: 14 point win would be nice, BP even better, but I am not sure it will be that easy. Really hard to tell which teams will show up for CC in the first round. Hopefully Bristol will be thinking more about the Prem.
@Paul Ennis: TBH just messing it will be a tough game
@Gary Galligan: Hopefully you get your 25 cent win
@Shanie: 40 euro
@Gary Galligan: Interesting
Was this referee born in Bristol?
No arms tackle by Sam ?
Soccer slide tackle by Sam.
@Jofus Soap: He was penalised for it.
@Mick Joe:
indeed
@Jofus Soap: Thanks for your commentary. Keep up the good work
@Jofus Soap: Are you one of these supporters who have Sam Error Alert set on your phone so you don’t have to bother enjoying watching the rugby??
@Paul Ennis:
Sam’s a sound young lad.
So TMO comes in for that but doesn’t bother with blatant hands in the ruck on Bristol’s own line? Absolute cheats
@teuO6nLS: it was a blatant trip from a try scoring opportunity
@robert kelly: Agreed. TMO absolutely had to come in for that. But he also should have checked hands in the ruck 5m from the line. Also a try scoring opportunity and resulted in a scrum to Bristol followed by a penalty given away by JGP. Ref cannot see everything but I think that is worthy of a TMO intervention. Bristol try also looked like it had a Leinster hand under it.
@robert kelly: the complete lack of consistency is my point. Blatant hands in a ruck on your own line when the referee has called a knock on and you don’t get involved? But a questionable “trip” from a player still completing a tackle has you suddenly getting involved?
Either call both or neither. Only calling one stinks of bias
@teuO6nLS: Difference is that one is classified as foul play and the other is cynical play. You cannot trip a player – it will be a yellow card anywhere on the pitch. A different TMO on a different day may have intervened.
@teuO6nLS: yea fair enough. Deegan knew exactly what he was doing tho you can clearly see it on the replay. I think the majority of the penalties have been justified and calling the ref a disgrage is a bit extreme. I’m no rugby expert but the conditions are difficult which promotes a lot of unforced errors. Scrappy but also entertaining game so far with a little bit of niggle adding to it
@teuO6nLS: got away with one there Mccarthy could probably on a yellow as that trip was bordering blatant as well
@robert kelly: a “trip” where he’s got an arm wrapped around the opposition player? It’s a tackle
Lads relax. If Leinster come away with losing bonus point, it will be a good day out. They are hopeless.
@Ray Ridge: Ray ….your trolling is extremely poor. I’d expect higher class trolling from a kid in primary school. You’re an example of where practice does not make perfect.
@Ray Ridge: Your hopeless
@Ray Ridge: you were saying ?
@Shanie: They were hopeless. That first half performance won’t get them within an asses roar of the top French sides.
@Ray Ridge: Rugby is an 80 mins game fyi
@Ray Ridge: that one hasn’t worn too well….
@Ray Ridge:
Chokers should win no trophy on offer
@Tony McGrath: You’re a pathet1c boy.
@Tony McGrath: You’re sound like an expert on choking……probably have really hairy hands as a result
@Tony McGrath: your a complete tosser
Disgrace of a referee.
Leinster by 5
Class
Leinster by 13
Refereree adjudicatior should keep that man away from a rugby pitch for quite a while.
Farcical end to that game
That some mullet on the number 10
Slimani has taken Cordero’s crown of being the most useless NIQ ever to play in Ireland
@5sZl1dX2: Did you see Corderos pathetic attempt at a tackle in the 7th minute for Zebre opening try. The guy should be sent straight back to wherever he came from.
Leinster are hopeless says your man and yet there hammering the english side second in there league dumb dumb
Jesus these Leinster pukes in the comment really don’t like when they get reffed do they? Pathetic
@5sZl1dX2: Are you even looking at the game kiddo?
@5sZl1dX2: Making up their excuses already ……. Donnacha OCallaghan was right when he Leinster are under huge pressure this year to win in Europe. They have spent as much money as the Children’s Hospital Lmao!
@5sZl1dX2: stick to mini rugby please.
@Mick Joe: yes I am. Leinster are choking but what’s new?
@5sZl1dX2: At least they’re in the mixer. When was Munster last in the business end of a European competition? Remember the great Peter O’Mahony has won 1 trophy with Munster. He has more trophies with his Leinster buddies.
@Mick Joe: and Fineen Wycherley has more club trophies than Joe McCarthy, does that mean he’s a better player? Flute
@Lulu: Come again?
@5sZl1dX2: You’ve completely missed the point there Harold. Not the first thing to go completely over your head.
@Shanie: Google it Sunshine!
@Lulu: Money well spent by the looks of things. Pity Munsters big money spend in the past was such an abject failure. Makes it all the sweeter seeing him play so well for Leinster.
And poor Jack is going to lose his #10 Ireland jersey as well…
@James: on his displays against Fiji, Australia and tonight he’s a raw attacking talent but can’t tackle to save his life. Will improve but needs constant game time with Leinster.
@mark sheehan: Can’t tackle…a bit like Jack
@James: hahahahahhahahahaha
@5sZl1dX2: tosser,stade were complete shite,otherwise you red muppetts eould have lost…really agsinst 13 players thats the best u could muster
@James: spoken like a true totally biased dumdf# ck.
@5sZl1dX2: the Munster lads coming out swinging hahaha love it!
@David Clarke: bahahahahhhahHhhH
@mark sheehan: That’s not what your ma moaned to me last night…..she’s some goer
@James: that’s about your level, rooting around in graveyards.
Easy money
@Gary Galligan: least your good at preditions unlike some on here
It’s freezing here! Windy too!
@Oran Burns: North poll
Lucky boy all right.
Instinctive though
Who’s that geezer !!