Blues - Waterford United FC Programme v Galway Friday 14th March 2014 | Page 3

Welcome To The RSC
by Chairman John O’Sullivan
Hello and welcome to this, our first
home game of the SSE Airtricity League
season. Like us all I’m excited to have
League football back at the RSC after
the winter break, and am thrilled to be
able to welcome our fans here tonight.
I’d also like to extend a warm Waterford
welcome to Bernie O’Connell and the players, staff, officials
and supporters of Galway FC.
Once again we find ourselves at the beginning of a long season,
and I’d like to wish everybody, both on the pitch and behind
the scenes, the very best of luck for the year ahead. I’d like to
thank our loyal support base for staying loyal over the long
weeks without football, and
I hope we can really push
on and repay that loyalty
with an outstanding season
this year!

Last weekend we saw amazing crowds in both divisions, with
over 5000 at Turner’s Cross for John Caulfield’s first league
game in charge, and 2400-odd in Eamonn Deacy Park for the
return to league action of our visitors tonight. The attendances
we get here, and the fans that do come out are greatly
appreciated, but those kinds of numbers must be the aim for
the majority League clubs, and we are continually asking
ourselves why we aren’t getting the big crowds. If people have
any suggestions, for this or any fundraising ideas, the doors are
always open, and volunteers are also always welcome and
much appreciated!
I’m delighted to say that the Blues will take again part in the
St Patrick’s Day Parade
in the city this year. It
was great to have the
club part of such a great
occasion last March, and I
would ask everyone who
can to come out and join
us or support us in the
colours on the day.

I’d like to thank Tommy,
Billy, David, John and Alan
for all of their hard work
so far since we returned
Finally, with great
to pre-season training,
sadness we note the loss
hopefully they’ll get their
of a true member of the
just rewards out on the
Blues family during the
pitch as the year goes on.
close season in Sam’s
Thanks and best of luck to
Declan Dower and Bill Deevy from winners DVF with Paddy,
mother Margot White.
our backroom team, and
Tommy, Shaun and myself at the Shirt Sponsors Draw
One of the greatest ever
everyone who makes the
supporters of football in
matchnights possible, let’s
hope all the efforts will bear fruit this season. And finally, at the Waterford, Margot devoted most of her years to the club, in
a multitude of capacities, and her kindness and dedication will
coal face as it were, I’d especially like to wish all of our players
not be forgotten by anyone who had the pleasure of meeting
the very, very best of luck in the coming campaign.
her. From a personal point of view, and on behalf of everyone
at the club, I wish to extend sincerest condolences to Sam and
I’d also like to welcome our main sponsor SportsWorld to the
his family.
Blues fold, and a big thank you goes to them for coming on
board, as it does to 3 Ireland for being such great supporters
And so, all that remains is to ask get behind the lads for the first
of the club over the past few seasons. Thanks also to all of
time in this League season, let’s make sure we get off to the best
the local and national companies who took part in our recent
possible home start and take the three points tonight!
shirt sponsors draw, such support is invaluable to help us keep
League football in Waterford. Congratulations to DVF Print
who came out of the draw drum for the second year running! Best of luck Blues!
And welcome also to Café Frites who have come on board to
provide matchnight catering, let’s hope everyone supports them,
their food is excellent and all locally sourced.

John

www.waterford-united.ie

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